Method and apparatus for actively managing electric power supply for an electric power grid

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for managing power supplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of grid elements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, each of which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and wherein messaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IP messaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with the energy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, market participants, and/or grid operators.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/549,429, filed Jul. 14, 2012, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical powercontrol systems, and more particularly, to systems, methods, andapparatus embodiments for actively managing power supply from anyelectric power generation source or storage device for introduction toan electric power grid, microgrid interconnected or disconnected, andfor creating operating reserves for utilities and market participants ofthe electric power grid.

2. Description of Related Art

Generally, electric power management systems for supply of electricityto an electric power grid are known. However, most prior art systems andmethods apply to load curtailment where the supply is used to remove theservice points from the grid, but not particularly operable to supply orintroduce a new source of supply to the grid. Supplying energy to thegrid requires detailed attachment modeling, and due to the requirementsthat any amount of supply, even micro-scale supply, must comply withstandards applicable to full scale utilities or macro-generation supply;this compliance is difficult and expensive. However, there are relevantprior art documents relating to supply of power to electric power gridsin the field of the present invention. By way of example, consider thefollowing US patent and US patent application Publication documents:

US Patent Application Publication No. 20080040479 filed Aug. 9, 2007 byinventors Bridge, et al. and assigned on the face of the publication toV2Green, Inc. for Connection locator in a power aggregation system fordistributed electric resources, discloses a method to obtain thephysical location of an electric device, such as an electric vehicle,and transforming the physical location into an electric networklocation, and further including receiving a unique identifier associatedwith a device in a physical location. See also related publicationsWO2008073477, US Pat. Application No.'s 20110025556, 20090043519,20090200988, 20090063680, 20080040296, 20080040223, 20080039979,20080040295, and 20080052145.

International Patent Application No. WO2011079235 filed Dec. 22, 2010and published Jun. 30, 2011 by inventor Williams and assigned on theface of the document to Interactive Grid Solutions, LLC for Distributedenergy sources system, describes an energy management system thatincludes distributed energy sources (for example a wind turbine) thatcommunicate with consumer devices and electric utilities, wherein a CPUis in communication with the distributed energy source and is operableto control the flow of energy produced by the distributed energy source.

International Patent Application No. WO2012015508 filed May 2, 2011 andpublished Feb. 2, 2012 by inventor Cherian, et al. and assigned on theface of the document to Spriae, Inc. for Dynamic distributed power gridcontrol system, describes a control system for a distributed power gridthat includes a simulation module operative to directly interface withthe operational control of the distributed energy resources (DER) todevelop and dynamically modify the control inputs of the distributedpower grid, and wherein the distributed control module can simulatecontrol response characteristics of the DER to determine controlmethodology by conducting decentralized and distributed simulation. Seealso WO201200879, WO2012015507, US Pat. Application No.'s 20110106321,20120029720, and 20120029897.

International Patent Application No. WO2012058114 filed Oct. 21, 2011and published May 3, 2012 by inventor Alatrash, et al. and assigned onthe face of the document to Petra Solar, Inc. for Method and systemfacilitating control strategy for power electronics interface ofdistributed generations resources, discloses a method and system forimplementing a control strategy for distributed generation (DG) units,wherein the DG unit behaves similarly to a synchronous generator.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,949,435 filed Aug. 9, 2007 and issued May 24, 2011 toinventors Pollack, et al. and assigned to V2Green, Inc. on the face ofthe document entitled User interface and user control in a poweraggregation system for distributed electric resources, describes amethod and operator interface for users or owners of a distributed powerresource, such as an electric vehicle, which connects to a power grid,wherein the user or owner controls a degree of participation of theelectric resource power aggregation via the user interface, and furtherincluding an energy pricing preference, a vehicle state-of-charge, and apredicted amount of time until the electric resource disconnects from apower grid. See also US Patent Application Pub. Nos. 20090043520 and20080039989.

US Patent Application Pub. No. 20110282511 filed Mar. 26, 2011 andpublished Nov. 17, 2011 to inventor Unetich and assigned on the face ofthe document to Smart Power Devices Ltd for Prediction, communicationand control system for distributed power generation and usage, describesan apparatus for obtaining, interpreting and communicating a userreliable and predictive information relevant to the price of electricityservice at a prospective time.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,844,370 filed Aug. 9, 2007 and issued Nov. 30, 2010 byinventors Pollack et al. and assigned on the face of the document toGridPoint, Inc. for Scheduling and control in a power aggregation systemfor distributed electric resources, describes systems and methods for apower aggregation system in which a server establishes individualInternet connections to numerous electric resources intermittentlyconnect to the power grid, such as electric vehicles, wherein theservice optimizes power flows to suit the needs of each resource andeach resource owner, while aggregating flows across numerous resourcesto suit the needs of the power grid, and further including inputtingconstraints of individual electric resources into the system, whichsignals them to provide power to take power from a grid.

US Patent Application Pub. No. 20090187284 filed Jan. 7, 2009 andpublished Jul. 23, 2009 by inventors Kreiss et al. for System and methodfor providing power distribution system information, describes acomputer program product for processing utility data of a power grid,including a datamart comprised of physical databases storing utilitydata applications comprising an automated meter application configuredto process power usage data from a plurality of automated meters, apower outage application configured to identify a location of a poweroutage, and a power restoration application configured to identify alocation of a power restoration. See also US Pat. Application No.'s20110270550, 20110270457, and 20110270454.

The increased awareness of the impact of carbon emissions from the useof fossil fueled electric generation combined with the increased cost ofproducing base load, intermediate, and peak power during high loadconditions has increased the need for alternative solutions utilizingnew power technologies as a mechanism to defer, or in some caseseliminate, the need for the deployment of additional generation capacityby electric utilities, generating utilities, or distributing utilitiesor any grid operator or market participant whose primary function is tofacilitate the production, distribution, operation and sale ofelectricity to individual consumers. Existing electric utilities arepressed for methods to defer or eliminate the need for construction offossil-based or macro large scale electricity generation while dealingwith the need to integrate new sources of generation such as renewableenergy sources or distributed energy resources whose production andintegration into the electric grid is problematic.

Today, a patchwork of systems exist to implement demand response loadmanagement programs, dispatch of macro-generation, and energy managementand control for both supplying “negawatts”, supply and grid stability tothe electric utility grid whereby various radio subsystems in variousfrequency bands utilize “one-way” transmit only methods of communicationor most recently deployed a plurality of proprietary two-way methods ofcommunications with electric customers or their load consuming deviceand measurement instruments including, by way of example, “smartmeters.” In addition, macro generation is controlled and dispatched fromcentralized control centers either from utilities, Independent PowerProducers (IPPs) or other Market Participants that utilize point topoint primarily “Plain old telephone service” POTS dedicated low bitrate modems or nailed time division multiplex (TDM) circuits such asT-1s that supply analog telemetry to Energy Management Systems or insome cases physical dispatch to a human operator to “turn on” generationassets in response to grid supply needs or grid stress and high loadconditions. Under traditional Demand Response technologies used for peakshaving, utilities or other market participants install radio frequency(RF)-controlled relay switches typically attached to a customer's airconditioner, water heater, or pool pumps, or other individual loadconsuming devices. A blanket command is sent out to a specificgeographic area whereby all receiving units within the range of thetransmitting station (e.g., typically a paging network) are turned offduring peak hours at the election of the power utility. After a periodof time when the peak load has passed, a second blanket command is sentto turn on those devices that have been turned off. This “load shifting”has the undesired effect of occasionally causing “secondary peaks” andgenerally requires consumer incentives for adoption.

Most recent improvements that follow the same concepts are RF networksthat utilize a plurality of mesh based, non-standard communicationsprotocols that utilize IEEE 802.15.4 or its derivatives, or “ZigBee”protocol end devices to include load control switches, programmablethermostats that have pre-determined set points for accomplishing the“off” or “cut” or reduce command simultaneously or pre-loaded in theresident memory of the end device. These networks are sometimes referredto in the industry as “Home Area Networks” or (HANs). In theseelementary and mostly proprietary solutions, a programmablethermostat(s) or building control systems (PCTs) move the set point ofthe HVAC (or affect another inductive or resistive device) or remove aresistive device from the electric grid thus accomplishing the same“load shifting” effect previously described. All of these methodsrequire and rely on statistical estimations and modeling for measuringtheir effectiveness and use historical information that are transmittedvia these same “smart meters” to provide after-the-fact evidence that anindividual device or consumer complied with the demand response event.Protocols that are employed for these methods include “Smart EnergyProfiles Versions 1 & 2” and its derivatives to provide utilities andtheir consumers an attempt at standardization amongst various OEMs ofPCTs, switching, and control systems through a plurality of protocolsand interfaces. These methods remain crude and do not include real time,measurement, verification, settlement and other attributes necessary tohave their Demand Response effects utilized for effective OperatingReserves with the exception of limited programs for “Emergency” CapacityPrograms as evidenced by programs such as the Energy Reliability Councilof Texas' (ERCOT's) Emergency Interruptible Load Service (EILS).Furthermore, for effective settlement and control of mobile storagedevices such as Electric Vehicles, these early “Smart Grid” devices arenot capable of meeting the requirements of Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) orother standards setting bodies such as the National Institute of Science& Technology (NIST) Smart Grid Roadmap.

While telemetering has been used for the express purpose of reportingenergy usage, no cost effective techniques exist for calculating powerconsumption, carbon gas emissions, sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas emissions,and/or nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) emissions, and reporting the state of aparticular device under the control of a two-way positive control loadmanagement device or other combinations of load control previouslydescribed. In particular, one way wireless communications devices havebeen utilized to de-activate electrical appliances, such as heating,ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) units, water heaters, poolpumps, and lighting or any inductive or resistive device that iseligible as determined by a utility or market participant fordeactivation, from an existing electrical supplier or distributionpartner's network. These devices have typically been used in combinationwith wireless paging receivers or FM radio carrier data modulation, or aplurality of 2-way proprietary radio frequency (RF) technologies thatreceive “on” or “off” commands from a paging transmitter or transmitterdevice. Additionally, the one-way devices are typically connected to aserving electrical supplier's control center via landline trunks, or insome cases, microwave transmission to the paging transmitter. Thecustomer subscribing to the load management program receives a discountor some other form of economic incentive, including direct payments forallowing the serving electrical supplier (utility), retail electricprovider or any other market participant to connect to their electricalappliances with a one-way load control switch and deactivate thoseappliances during high energy usage periods. This technique of demandresponse is used mostly by utilities or any market participant for “peakshifting” where the electric load demand curve is moved from a peakperiod to a less generation intensive time interval and are favored byrate-based utilities who earn capital returns of new power plants or anycapital deployed to operate their electric grids that are approved bycorresponding Public Utility Commissions. These methods are previous artand generally no conservation of energy is measured. In many instances,secondary peak periods occur when the cumulative effect of all theresistive and inductive devices are released from the “off” statesimultaneously causing an unintended secondary peak event.

While one-way devices are generally industry standard and relativelyinexpensive to implement, the lack of a return path from the receiver,combined with the lack of information on the actual devices connected tothe receiver, make the system highly inefficient and largely inaccuratefor measuring the actual load shed to the serving utility or compliantwith measurement and verification for presenting a balancing authorityor independent system operator for operating reserves. While thedifferential current draw is measurable on the serving electricutility's transmission lines and at electrical bus or substations, theactual load shed is approximate and the location of the load deferral isapproximated at the control center of the serving utility or otherstatistical methods are considered to approximate the individual orcumulative effect on an electric utility grid. The aforementioned“two-way” systems are simultaneously defective in addressing real timeand near real time telemetry needs that produce generation equivalenciesthat are now recognized by FERC Orders such as FERC 745 wheremeasurable, verifiable Demand Response “negawatts”, defined as real timeor near real time load curtailment where measurement and verificationcan be provided within the tolerances required under such programspresented by FERC, NERC, or the governing body that regulate gridoperations. The aforementioned “smart meters” in combination with theirdata collection systems commonly referred to as “Advanced MeteringInfrastructure” generally collect interval data from meters inHISTORICAL fashion and report this information to the utility, marketparticipant or grid operator AFTER the utility or grid operator has sentnotice for curtailment events or “control events” to initiate due tohigh grid stress that includes lack of adequate operating reserves tomeet demand, frequency variations, voltage support and any other gridstabilizing needs as identified by the utility or grid operator andpublished and governed by FERC, NERC, or other applicable regulations.

One exemplary telemetering system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,891,838 B1. This patent describes details surrounding a meshcommunication of residential devices and the reporting and control ofthose devices, via WANs, to a computer. The stated design goal in thispatent is to facilitate the “monitoring and control of residentialautomation systems.” This patent does not explain how a serving utilityor customer could actively control the devices to facilitate thereduction of electricity. In contrast, this patent discloses techniquesthat could be utilized for reporting information that is being displayedby the serving utility's power meter (as do many other priorapplications in the field of telemetering).

An additional exemplary telemetering system is disclosed in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005/0240315 A1. The primary purpose of thispublished application is not to control utility loads, but rather “toprovide an improved interactive system for remotely monitoring andestablishing the status of a customer utility load.” A stated goal ofthis publication is to reduce the amount of time utility field personnelhave to spend in the field servicing meters by utilizing wirelesstechnology.

Another prior art system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,823, whichdescribes, in detail, the use of proprietary hardware to remotely turnoff or turn on devices within a building or residence. While initiallythis prior art generally describes a system that would assist utilitiesin managing power load control, the prior art does not contain theunique attributes necessary to construct or implement a complete system.In particular, this patent is deficient in the areas of security, loadaccuracy of a controlled device, and methods disclosing how a customerutilizing applicable hardware might set parameters, such as temperatureset points, customer preference information, and customer overrides,within an intelligent algorithm that reduces the probability of customerdissatisfaction and service cancellation or churn.

Attempts have been made to bridge the gap between one-way, un-verifiedpower load control management systems and positive control verifiedpower load control management systems. However, until recently,technologies such as smart breakers and command relay devices were notconsidered for use in residential and commercial environments primarilydue to high cost entry points, lack of customer demand, and the cost ofpower generation relative to the cost of implementing load control ortheir ability to meet the measurement, telemetry, verificationrequirements of the grid operator or ISO. Furthermore, submeteringtechnology within the smart breaker, load control device, command relaydevices or building control systems have not existed in the prior art.

One such gap-bridging attempt is described in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. US 2005/0065742 A1. This publication discloses a systemand method for remote power management using IEEE 802 based wirelesscommunication links. The system described in this publication includesan on-premise processor (OPP), a host processor, and an end device. Thehost processor issues power management commands to the OPP, which inturn relays the commands to the end devices under its management. Whilethe disclosed OPP does provide some intelligence in the power managementsystem, it does not determine which end devices under its control toturn-off during a power reduction event, instead relying on the hostdevice to make such decision. For example, during a power reductionevent, the end device must request permission from the OPP to turn on.The request is forwarded to the host device for a decision on therequest in view of the parameters of the on-going power reduction event.The system also contemplates periodic reading of utility meters by theOPP and storage of the read data in the OPP for later communication tothe host device. The OPP may also include intelligence to indicate tothe host processor that the OPP will not be able to comply with a powerreduction command due to the inability of a load under the OPP's controlto be deactivated. However, neither the host processor nor the OPPdetermine which loads to remove in order to satisfy a power reductioncommand from an electric utility, particularly when the command isissued by one of several utilities under the management of a powermanagement system. Further, neither the host processor nor the OPPtracks or accumulates power saved and/or carbon credits earned on a percustomer or per utility basis for future use by the utility and/orcustomer. Still further, the system of this publication lacks a rewardincentive program to customers based on their participation in the powermanagement system. Still further, the system described in thispublication does not provide for secure communications between the hostprocessor and the OPP, and/or between the OPP and the end device. As aresult, the described system lacks many features that may be necessaryfor a commercially viable implementation.

Customer profiles are often used by systems for a variety of reasons.One reason is to promote customer loyalty. This involves keepinginformation about not only the customer, but about the customer'sactions as well. This may include information about what the customerowns (i.e., which devices), how they are used, when they are used, etc.By mining this data, a company can more effectively select rewards forcustomers that give those customers an incentive for continuing to dobusiness with the company. This is often described as customerrelationship management (CRM).

Customer profile data is also useful for obtaining feedback about how aproduct is used. In software systems, this is often used to improve thecustomer/user experience or as an aid to testing. Deployed systems thathave customer profiling communicate customer actions and other data backto the development organization. That data is analyzed to understand thecustomer's experience. Lessons learned from that analysis is used tomake modifications to the deployed system, resulting in an improvedsystem.

Customer profile data may also be used in marketing and sales. Forinstance, a retail business may collect a variety of information about acustomer, including what customers look at on-line and inside“brick-and-mortar” stores. This data is mined to try to identifycustomer product preferences and shopping habits. Such data helps salesand marketing determine how to present products of probable interest tothe customer, resulting in greater sales.

However, the collection of customer profile information by powerutilities, retail electric providers or any other market participantthat sells retail electric commodity to end customers (residential orcommercial) has been limited to customer account information of grosselectrical consumption and inferential information about how power isbeing consumed but requires customers to take their own actions. Becausepower utilities, REPs, market participants typically are unable tocollect detailed data about what is happening inside a customer's homeor business, including patterns of energy consumption by device, therehas been little opportunity to create extensive customer profiles.

Thus, none of the prior art systems, methods, or devices providecomplete solutions for actively controlling power load management forcustomers attached to the electric grid, and for creating operatingreserves for utilities and market participants. Therefore, a need existsfor a system and method for active power load management that isoptionally capable of tracking power savings for the individual customeras well as the electric utility and any other market participant tothereby overcome the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For applications of management of electrical power supply and loadcurtailment equivalent to supply, the present invention provides forapparatus, systems and methods for actively controlling power supply andload management for the electric grid, and for creating operatingreserves for utilities and market participants or combinations thereof.The present invention provides systems, apparatus, and methods formanaging power supplied over an electric power grid by an electricutility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of gridelements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, eachof which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energyconsumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and whereinmessaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IPmessaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with theenergy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, marketparticipants, and/or grid operators.

The present invention further provides additional tracking of allelements associated with the electric power grid (i.e., grid elements)for supply, normal and emergency grid operations, and/or loadcurtailment through a Coordinator and to an energy management system(EMS), and further for tracking power consumption, supply, OperatingReserves created through curtailment or by supply, savings for both theindividual customer, broadly defined as any consumer of electrical powerwhether this is an individual residential consumer, a largecommercial/industrial customer or any combination thereof, inclusive ofretail electric providers and market participants as well as the overallelectric grid, including utilities, whether generating or distributingthe electric power grid.

One aspect of the present invention provides a system for managing andsupplying power on an electric power grid that is constructed andconfigured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity ofsources, where the power flows to a plurality of power consuming devicesor is generated by a plurality of power generation and storage solutionsthat are energized, de-energized, and/or power-reduced by a plurality ofcontrollable devices, the system including: a server having a commandprocessor operable to receive or initiate power commands and issue powerevent messages responsive thereto; a Coordinator constructed andconfigured in networked communication with the server, and operable forreceiving, sending, storing, processing, and/or managing messages forthe server and for a multiplicity of grid elements and/or devices thatconsume power and/or produce or store power; wherein the messages arecommunicated over a communications network via the Coordinator throughan IP-based messaging or a proprietary-based messaging; a database forstoring information relating to power consumed by the plurality of powerconsuming devices and the amount of power to be reduced to each of thepower consuming devices and/or power supply to be provided to theelectric power grid; and wherein the system is operable for providingmaintained or improved grid stability.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus foruse in managing power on an electric power grid that is constructed andconfigured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity of gridelements and supply sources, wherein the power flows to a plurality ofpower consuming devices or is generated by a plurality of powergeneration and/or storage solutions that are energized, de-energized,and/or power-reduced by a plurality of controllable devices, theapparatus including: a Coordinator for managing communication betweengrid elements and devices, supply sources, and a control server or EMS,wherein the communication occurs over a network using IP-based orproprietary messaging, and wherein the communication includes at leastone of grid element(s), supply source(s), and/or device(s)characteristics, thereby providing controlled power management and/orsupply for the electric power grid.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to systems for managingand supplying power on an electric power grid that is constructed andconfigured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity ofsources, where the power flows to a plurality of power consuming devicesor is generated by a plurality of power generation and storage solutionsthat are enabled and disabled by a plurality of controllable devices,wherein the system includes: a server comprising a command processoroperable to receive or initiate power messaging, including but notlimited to control commands and issue power control event messagesresponsive thereto, at least one of the power control commands requiringa reduction in an amount of electric power consumed by the plurality ofpower consuming devices; an event manager operable to receive the powercontrol event messages, maintain at least one power management statusrelating to each client device and issue power control eventinstructions responsive to the power control event messages that may beinitiated from a market participant, a utility, or an electric gridoperator; a database for storing, information relating to power suppliedby any power source supply and/or consumed by the plurality of powerconsuming devices and based upon the amount of power to be reduced toeach of the power consuming devices, generating a first power supplyvalue (PSV); and a client device manager operably coupled to the eventmanager and the database, the client device manager selecting from thedatabase, based on the information stored in the database, at least oneclient device to which to issue a power message indicating at least oneof an amount of electric power to be reduced or increased andidentification of at least one controllable device to be instructed todisable a flow of electric power to one or more associated powerconsuming devices responsive to receipt of a power control eventinstruction requiring a reduction in a specified amount of electricpower; the plurality of controllable device and corresponding deviceinterfaces facilitating communication of power control instructions tothe controllable devices, the power control instructions causing the atleast one controllable device to selectively enable and disable a flowof power to the power consuming device(s); and a device control manageroperably coupled to the controllable device interfaces for issuing apower control instruction to the controllable devices through thecontrollable device interfaces, responsive to the received power controlmessage, the power control instruction causing the controllabledevice(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associatedpower consuming device for reducing consumed power, and based upon thereduction in consumed power, generating a second power supply value(PSV) corresponding to the reduction in consumed power and/or suppliedpower or power available for supply to the electric power grid.

Also, the present invention is directed to method for managing power onan electric power grid that is constructed and configured for supplyingand receiving power from a multiplicity of sources, including aCoordinator for managing all communications with all interactive gridelements relating to status and messaging for those elements, andrelating to power supply and load curtailment affecting the grid throughany/select/all of those elements. Furthermore, the Coordinatorassociated with the present invention monitors and manages through theEMS, active supply director (ASD), and/or active load director (ALD) tothe multiplicity of grid elements, where, when, how much, and gridstability components of the power that flows to and is distributedand/or transmitted to a plurality of power consuming devices or isgenerated by a plurality of power generation and storage solutions thatare enabled and disabled by a plurality of controllable devices, themethod steps including: initiating power control commands by a serverincluding a command processor operable to receive or initiate powercontrol commands and issue power control event messages responsivethereto, all of which are communicated through the Coordinator from theEMS and/or ALD and/or ASD, at least one of the power control commandsrequiring a reduction in an amount of electric power consumed by theplurality of power consuming devices, and at least one of the powercontrol commands requiring an introduction of supply of electric power;the Coordinator also functioning as an event manager receiving the powercontrol event messages, maintain at least one power management statusrelating to each client device and issuing power control eventinstructions responsive to the power control event messages that may beinitiated from a market participant, a utility, ISO, and/or an electricgrid operator; storing in a database, information relating to powerconsumed by the plurality of power consuming devices and based upon theamount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devices,and/or relating to power available for supply by power generation sourcesupply and/or power storage source supply, generating a first powersupply value (PSV); and the Coordinator also functioning as a clientdevice manager for selecting from the database, based on the informationstored in the database, at least one client device to which to issue apower control message indicating at least one of an amount of electricpower to be reduced or increased and identification of at least onecontrollable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric powerto one or more associated power consuming devices responsive to receiptof a power control event instruction requiring a reduction in aspecified amount of electric power; wherein the plurality ofcontrollable device and corresponding device interfaces facilitatingcommunication of power control instructions to the controllable devices,the power control instructions causing the at least one controllabledevice to selectively enable and disable a flow of power to the powerconsuming device(s); and a device control manager issuing a powercontrol instruction to the controllable devices through the controllabledevice interfaces, responsive to the received power control message, thepower control instruction causing the controllable device(s) to disablea flow of electric power to at least one associated power consumingdevice for reducing consumed power, and/or causing the generation sourcesupply (GSS) and/or storage source supply (SSS) for supply available tothe electric power grid, and based upon the reduction in consumed powerand/or supply available for the grid, generating at least one otherpower supply value (PSV) corresponding to the reduction in consumedpower for each element and/or device associated with curtailment(reduction) or supply (increase) in power associated with the grid.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after a reading of the following description ofthe preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as theysupport the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of an IP-based active power loadmanagement system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary active loadclient (ALC) smart meter use case example according to the presentinvention, wherein the ALC is shown as a component of the system of FIG.1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates a flow diagram of methods according to the presentinvention for tracking power usage and power supply value (PSV)generation.

FIG. 1D illustrates a flow diagram of methods according to the presentinvention for tracking state of ALCs having an IP address within anelectric power grid system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary systemarrangement for conservation voltage reduction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram an IP-based active energy managementsystem in accordance with the present invention, including components ofALC, ALD, IP-based communication, load control devices and powerconsuming devices.

PRIOR ART FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating generation,transmission, distribution, and load consumption within a traditionalelectric power grid.

PRIOR ART FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating traditionaltransmission systems that connect to electric power sources todistribution facilities, including smart metering and advanced metering.

PRIOR ART FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating power generation orsupply balancing with customer demand for electric power within a grid.

PRIOR ART FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating balancing areas andtheir interaction for power generation or supply balancing with customerdemand for electric power within a grid.

PRIOR ART FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating regions andbalancing areas and their interaction for power generation or supplybalancing with customer demand for electric power within a grid.

PRIOR ART FIG. 9 is a graphic illustration of daily load shape and baseload for electric power grid operations, including sufficient operatingreserves to address peak load conditions.

PRIOR ART FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating operating reserves ofdifferent types of responsiveness required for generation and operationof an electric power grid.

PRIOR ART FIG. 11 is a bar graph illustrating applications of operatingreserves of different types and communications networks and timing forcontrol events.

PRIOR ART FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration for balancing resourceswithin an electric power grid, including grid stability elements offrequency.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating components including ALD,ALC, and IP communications for distributed grid intelligence withinsystems of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram that illustrates smart grid withdecentralized networks according to systems and methods of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is another schematic diagram that illustrates smart grid withdecentralized networks according to systems and methods of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is yet another schematic diagram that illustrates smart gridwith decentralized networks according to systems and methods of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17A shows a schematic diagram for supply from utility, marketparticipant, CSP, and/or REP, ALD/cloud layer, ICCP, control anddispatch, and micro-grid enablement according to systems and methods ofthe present invention.

FIG. 17B is a table illustrating three FERC orders and theirapplicability to the electric power grid load management addressed bythe present invention.

FIG. 18 is a graphic illustration of operating reserves categories andbase load.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram representing operating reserves forsupply side generation of electric power for a grid, active loaddirector (ALD), active load client (ALC), power consuming devices, andother components of the systems and methods of the present invention forgenerating operating reserves of different categories.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the presentinvention including power consuming devices, control devices, ALC, ALD,customer profile, IP communication network, and grid telemetrycomponents of systems and methods of the present invention.

FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the presentinvention including energy management system (EMS), power consumingdevices, control devices, ALC, ALD, customer profile, IP communicationnetwork, and grid telemetry components of systems and methods of thepresent invention.

FIG. 21B is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the presentinvention including EMS, power consuming devices, control devices, ALC,ALD, customer profile, IP communication network, and grid telemetrycomponents of systems and methods of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a table of consumer-adjustable parameters as examples forsystems and methods components according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a flow diagram illustrating method steps for energy consumingdevices and the generation of power supply value (PSV) according toembodiments of the present invention, including learning profile.

FIG. 24 is a graph showing at least three (3) dimensions for factorsassociated with load consumption and devices managing temperaturecontrol for corresponding power consuming devices, including the changein factors over time.

FIG. 25 is a graph showing first, second, and additional standarddeviations of for the chart of drift versus time, for use with thesystems and methods of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flow diagram for methods of the present invention forcalculating the time period for environmentally dependent andindependent devices and determining or generating power supply value(PSV) for those power-consuming devices.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary IP-based activepower load management system in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of anexemplary active load director in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of anexemplary active load client in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 30 is a flow diagram illustrating steps in a method for updatinginformation relating to ALCs and/or ALD database.

FIG. 31 provides a schematic diagram illustrating analytics for how thesystem and methods of the present invention provides additionaloperating (e.g., regulating, spinning and/or non-spinning) reserve to apower utility, market participant, grid operator, etc.

FIG. 32 illustrates a screen shot of an exemplary web browser interfacethrough which a customer may designate his or her device performance andenergy saving preferences for an environmentally-dependent, powerconsuming device in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a graph that depicts a load profile of a utility during aprojected time period, showing actual energy usage as well as projectedenergy usage determined with and without a control event, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a schematic diagram illustrating the Coordinator as part ofthe system and methods of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram showing a basic AGC/energy managementsystem (EMS) representation.

FIG. 36 is a schematic diagram illustrating an energy management system(EMS) as part of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Overall, the systems and methods of the present invention provide supplyand/or curtailment as supply for grid stability of an electric powergrid. The present invention relates generally to the field of electricalpower control systems and more particularly to systems, methods, andapparatus embodiments for actively managing power supply from anyelectric power generation source or storage device for introduction toan electric power grid, and/or load curtailment for consideration assupply. Preferably, these systems and methods are in compliance with thestandards that are currently contemplated and are changing in responseto the recognized need in the United States and other countries wherethe electric utility grid is not fully developed, but the demand forenergy is expected to grow substantially over the life of the invention.The present invention embodiments further provide for actively managingpower supply from any generation source supply and/or power supply fromcurtailment events applied to load consuming devices, thereby creatingoperating reserves for utilities and market participants, whileoptionally tracking power savings for both the individual customer,broadly defined as any consumer of electrical power whether this is anindividual residential consumer, a large commercial/industrial customeror any combination thereof inclusive of retail electric providers andmarket participants, as well as the electric utility or electric powergeneration source supply (GSS), whether generating or distributing powerfor the electric power grid.

When curtailment or supply is provided in a distributed manner from aplurality of sources through the present invention, capacity is alsocreated on the transmission and distribution system that is used tocarry the physical energy to the load consuming devices, and/or theattachment point of the supply devices, and those consumers at theirattachment point to the grid. This is sometimes referred to in both theindustry and the description of the present invention as a “servicepoint” and can represent any attachment point along an electric gridwhereby the physical layer of wires meets the physical attachment ofeither load or supply that is used in accordance with the presentinvention. The creation of capacity for these “wired” networks is initself new to the art, and is tracked with the other messaging describedin the present invention via the Coordinator and with specific messagingthat is used and identified for the purpose of transmission anddistribution capacity created along every element that is used todistribute electric power in the electric power grid. These createdcapacities are preferably aggregated by service point, by attachmentwires, by transformer, by feeder wire, by substation/electrical bus, bytransmission line(s), by grid area, by geodetic points, by utility or MPservice area, by LMP, by balancing authority, by state, by interconnect,by ISO, and combinations thereof. Thus, created capacity according tothe present invention, includes both the actual capacity due to supplyintroduction or load curtailment, and/or the location of the capacitycreated, which is a function of the attachment point and with respect tothe electrical bus (substation) and/or transmission feeder that issupplying it.

The present invention provides systems, apparatus, and methods formanaging power supplied over an electric power grid by an electricutility and/or other market participants to multiplicity of gridelements and devices for supply and/or load curtailment as supply, eachof which having a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energyconsumption and/or reduction in consumption and/or supply, and whereinmessaging is managed through a network by a Coordinator using IPmessaging for communication with the grid elements and devices, with theenergy management system (EMS), and with the utilities, marketparticipants, and/or grid operators.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordancewith the present invention, note that the embodiments reside primarilyin combinations of system and apparatus components, and processingsteps, communications, protocols, messaging and transport all related toactively managing power load or supply on an individual subscriber basisand optionally tracking power savings incurred by both individualsubscribers and an electric utility or other market participant.Accordingly, the systems, apparatus, and method steps components havebeen represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in thedrawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent tounderstanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not toobscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the descriptionherein.

As used in accordance with the description of the present invention NERCis described and defined as follows:http://www.nerc.com/files/Glossary_(—)12Feb08.pdf Balancing Authority(BA), as used in accordance with the description of the presentinvention is defined as the responsible entity that integrates resourceplans ahead of time, maintains load-interchange-generation balancewithin a Balancing Authority Area, and supports Interconnectionfrequency in real time. Balancing Authority Area (BAA), as used inaccordance with the description of the present invention is defined asthe collection of generation, transmission, and loads within the meteredboundaries of the Balancing Authority. The Balancing Authority (BA)maintains load-resource balance within this area (BAA).

Also, if demand changes so abruptly and quantifiably as to cause asubstantial fluctuation in line frequency within the utility's electricgrid, the utility must respond to and correct for the change in linefrequency. To do so, utilities typically employ an Automatic GenerationControl (AGC) process or subsystem to control the utility's regulatingreserve. This subsystem when coupled with transmission, generation anddistribution telemetry, processors, and industry standard software inits aggregate is referred to as an “Energy Management System (EMS) asexemplified and manufactured for the energy sector by many OEMs such asGE, OSIsoft and Areva to name a few. To determine whether a substantialchange in demand has occurred, each utility monitors its Area ControlError (ACE).

A utility's ACE is equal to the difference in the scheduled and actualpower flows in the utility grid's tie lines plus the difference in theactual and scheduled frequency of the supplied power multiplied by aconstant determined from the utility's frequency bias setting. Thus, ACEcan be written generally as follows:

ACE=(NI.sub.A−NI.sub.S)+(−10B.sub.1)(F.sub.A−F.sub.S), [Equation 1]where NI.sub.A is the sum of actual power flows on all tie lines,Ni.sub.S is the sum of scheduled flows on all tie lines, B.sub.1 is thefrequency bias setting for the utility, F.sub.A is the actual linefrequency, and F.sub.S is the scheduled line frequency (typically 60Hz).

In view of the foregoing ACE equation, the amount of loading relative tocapacity on the tie lines causes the quantity (NI.sub.A−NI.sub.S) to beeither positive or negative. When demand is greater than supply orcapacity (i.e., the utility is undergenerating or under-supplying), thequantity (NI.sub.A−NI.sub.S) is negative, which typically causes ACE tobe negative. On the other hand, when demand is less than supply, thequantity (NI.sub.A−NI.sub.S) is positive (i.e., the utility isover-generating or over-supplying), which typically causes ACE to bepositive. The amount of demand (e.g., load) or capacity directly affectsthe quantity (NI.sub.A−NI.sub.S); thus, ACE is a measure of generationcapacity relative to load. Typically, a utility attempts to maintain itsACE very close zero using AGC processes. If ACE is not maintained closeto zero, line frequency can change and cause problems for powerconsuming devices attached to the electric utility's grid. Ideally, thetotal amount of power supplied to the utility tie lines must equal thetotal amount of power consumed through loads (power consuming devices)and transmission line losses at any instant of time. However, in actualpower system operations, the total mechanical power supplied by theutility's generators is seldom exactly equal to the total electric powerconsumed by the loads plus the transmission line losses. When the powersupplied and power consumed are not equal, the system either accelerates(e.g., if there is too much power in to the generators) causing thegenerators to spin faster and hence to increase the line frequency ordecelerates (e.g., if there is not enough power into the generators)causing the line frequency to decrease. Thus, variation in linefrequency can occur due to excess supply, as well as due to excessdemand. To respond to fluctuations in line frequency using AGC, autility typically utilizes “regulating reserve,” which is one type ofoperating reserve as illustrated in FIG. 1. Regulating reserve is usedas needed to maintain constant line frequency. Therefore, regulatingreserve must be available almost immediately when needed (e.g., in aslittle as a few seconds to less than about five (5) minutes). Governorsare typically incorporated into a utility's generation system to respondto minute-by-minute changes in load by increasing or decreasing theoutput of individual macro generators and, thereby, engaging ordisengaging, as applicable, the utility's regulating reserve.

The aggregation of the longstanding, unmet needs in the relevant art isthe basis for new innovation, including solutions offered by the presentinvention, having systems and apparatus components that include thefollowing attributes:

-   -   a. The system, apparatus, methods and devices utilize        standards-based OSI Layer 1-4 communications protocols with a        plurality of security encryption methods.    -   b. The communication layer is Internet Protocol (V4 or V6 or its        derivatives thereof) based such that the messages, instructions,        commands, measurements and telemetry is transmitted via physical        layer delivered Ethernet, first generation wireless        communications methods (analog or digital), second generation        communications methods such as Code Division Multiple Access        (1XRTT), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), third        generation protocols such as Evolution for Data Only (EVDO),        High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Fourth Generation protocols        Long Term Evolution (LTE), IEEE 802.11 (X) “WiFi”, or any        derivative standard approved by the IEEE, International        Telecommunications Union or any domestic or international        standards body or any proprietary protocols that can operate in        near real time and contain an Internet Protocol packet for the        transmittal of their command, control, telemetry, measurement,        verification, and/or settlement information, whether wired or        wireless.    -   c. The command and control for the purpose of (b) can be created        and controlled from a centralized processor, a distributed        processing apparatus, or at the device level.    -   d. The aggregation of these methods result in the creation of        real time load curtailment that may be classified broadly as        “Demand Response”, macro or distributed generation and can be        native load (i.e., real-time supply) as required by the electric        power grid where the invention is utilized, and also be utilized        to create Operating Reserves as defined by NERC, FERC, and/or        any other governing body that regulates the operation of an        electric power grid and/or utilities or other market participant        providing power to an electric power grid.

The following descriptions and definitions are included herein for thepurpose of clarifying terms used in the claims and specification of thepresent invention, in addition to explanation of the relevant prior art,including the PRIOR ART figures and those figures illustrating thepresent invention.

By way of introduction to the present invention, FIG. 1A illustrates aschematic diagram of an IP-based active power load and supply managementsystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. This diagram shows analogies for how load-consuming devicesare addressable by an active load director (ALD), by comparison tocommunication networks such as the Internet. Similarly, Active SupplyDirector (ASD) and Active Supply Client or Element (ASC) provide for thecorresponding management of electric power available or actuallysupplied to the electric power grid, whether by Generation Source Supply(GSS) elements or by Storage Source Supply (SSS), including battery orfuel cell, or compressed air, stored water, or any subsystem thatincludes a potential for discharging electricity as stored energy to theelectric power grid, available for discharge or actually discharged intothe grid. In any case, whether electric power supply for the grid isprovided by generation or load curtailment, the supply is evaluated andrated by Power Supply Value (PSV) and Power Trade Block (PTB), whichindicates the amount of power, including aggregated amounts acceptablefor settlement by the grid.

Power Supply Value (PSV) is estimated, modeled, measured, and/ordetermined or calculated at the meter or submeter, building controlsystem, supply source, or at any device or controller that measureselectric power within the standard as supplied by the regulatorybody(ies) that govern the regulation of the grid. PSV depends onoperating tolerances, operating standard for accuracy of themeasurement. Notably, the PSV provides a uniform, systematic unit foraddressing the power curtailment or power supply that is responsive toan energy management system (EMS) or equivalent for providing gridstability, reliability, frequency as determined by governing authority,grid operator, market participant, utility, and/or regulationsapplicable to the electric power grid operations. The PSV enablestransformation of curtailment or reduction in power, in addition to theintroduction of power supply to the grid, at the device level by anysystem, apparatus, and/or device that sends or receives an IP message tobe related to or equated to supply as presented to the governing entitythat accepts these values and award supply equivalence. PSV may beprovided in units of electrical power units, flow, monetary equivalent,and combinations thereof. The PSV and/or PTB addresses the longstandingunmet need within the electric power management systems for a consistentor standard unit(s) that provide for blocks or bundles of energy areintroduced, aggregated, and settled; the prior art nowhere teaches ordiscloses these functional units. Thus, the present invention includes aPSV that provides a unit for measuring and settling the GSS poweravailable for/introduced to the electric power grid and/or thecurtailment power available (consistent with FERC orders 745, 750, 755all published in 2011) as a requirement for providing supply to thepower grid, and, particularly wherein the supply to the power grid isprovided for grid stability, voltage stability, reliability, andcombinations thereof. Notably, “high performance reserves” from FERCorder 755 covers for “deadband”, i.e., the time between receipt ofreg-up/reg-down, recognition of that order, and response to impact onthe grid, which is about 5 minutes for high performance reserves, whichare faster for supply than the traditional utilities.

PSV is preferably settled as traditional power delivery or curtailmentsystems at the nearest interconnection point, Location Marginal Price(LMP), node, transmission interconnection, balancing authority, utilityservice area, retail electric provider service area, ISO, state, andcombinations thereof, i.e., settlement is available at the point ofdelivery and/or acceptance (or attachment point), and is facilitated byALC, ASC, Coordinator, metering device, smart meter, sub-meter, andcombinations thereof, or any revenue grade device accepted by thegoverning authority to determine PSV and/or settlement. Also preferably,PSV includes consideration for line losses proximal to those devicesand/or grid elements, if not through real-time metrics then throughmodeling and/or estimation. Furthermore, regarding PSV and othermetrics, where no real-time metrics for verification and settlementexist, modeling is used. Preferably, analytics is used in connectionwith the present invention for modeling, estimation, optimization, andcombinations, such as those analytics taught by U.S. Pat. Nos.8,180,622, 8,170,856, 8,165,723, 8,155,943, 8,155,908, 8,131,401,8,126,685, 8,036,872, 7,826,990, 7,844,439, 7,840,395, 7,729,808,7,840,396, 7,844,440, 7,693,608, and US Patent Application PublicationNos. 20070239373, 20080262820, 20080263469, 20090076749, 20090083019,20090105998, 20090113049, 20100023309, 20100049494, 20100168931,20100268396, 20110082596, 20110082597, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

The present invention methods, systems, devices, and apparatus formanaging flow of power for an electric grid, micro grid, or othersystem, or combinations thereof, more particularly the supply ofelectric power for the grid, whether by generation, storage fordischarge, electric vehicles (EV), which function as transportablestorage and load consuming devices, either standalone or in aggregate,(and must be tracked to ensure proper settlement and grid stabilitymanagement), and/or load curtailment, and function to ensure gridstability and to supply electric power from any source of powergeneration, storage, and/or curtailment that equates to supply.

According to the present invention, grid stabilizing metrics includingvoltage, current, frequency, power factor, reactive and inductive power,capacitance, phase control, and/or any other grid metric that isrequired by a grid operator, market participant, utility, and the like,to operate and maintain electric power grid stability as determined bythe grid operator or the governing entity therefor. Preferably, thesemetrics are monitored and/or measured at a multiplicity of pointsthroughout the electric power grid, including but not limited tolocations within or at the distribution system, transmission system,electrical bus (substation), generation source, supply control devices,load control devices, load consuming devices (particularly thoseinvolved in curtailment activities), at least one Coordinator, andcombinations thereof. The metrics apply to any size and type of element,regardless whether the generation source is macro in nature, e.g., largescale generation such as large coal, nuclear, gas or other traditionalor non-traditional sources of generation, micro-grid generation,emergency back-up power generation, alternative energy generation, e.g.,wind, solar, etc., or a power storage device or fuel cell that ispotentially available for discharge.

Also, the client devices or the associated power consuming or generationcontrol devices have the ability to independently execute commands froman Active Load Director (ALD), Active Load Client (ALC), a 3^(rd) partyEnergy Management System (EMS), Active Supply Director (ASD),Coordinator, Generation Source Supply (GSS), Storage Source Supply(SSS), transmission/distribution capacity, messaging, settlements,security, and combinations thereof, that provide for both load consumingand generation to engage with the electric power grid at attachmentpoints with assured grid stability as indicated by the grid stabilitymetrics for compliance with requirements of the grid operator, utility,market participant, grid governing authority, and/or any otherregulations applicable to the electric power grid. All of these systemsand devices preferably receive their commands and send communicationsand/or messaging via an IP message via a Layer 3 router capable ofhandling all current and future iterations of IP messaging contemplatedduring the life of this invention. FIG. 35 is a schematic diagramshowing a basic AGC/energy management system (EMS) representation andFIG. 36 provides a schematic diagram illustrating an energy managementsystem (EMS) as part of the system of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 36, a detailed EMS with automatic generation control anddistributed energy resource (DER), and load resources is providedaccording to the present invention.

Also preferably, all messaging is controlled and transmitted through theCoordinator, which communicates between the many power control, powerconsuming, and power generation devices, grid elements, etc. and the EMSand/or grid operator, utility, governing authority, and combinationsthereof. More preferably, all commands and communications are routedthrough and by the Coordinator, which is constructed and configured fordirect and/or wireless communication with the multiplicity of gridelements, and further includes components of processor, memory,persistence layer, memory cache, messaging engine, security interface,status and/or change-in-status indicator, geodetic locator, telemetry,connections with the network, software operable for managing andchanging the connections, database with software operable for storingand analyzing data associated with transmission and distributionattachments, service points, elements, devices, registration,authentication, PSV, PTB, identification, capacity and capability ofload and supply devices, software version control for devices, softwareimprovement control, software for settlement, and combinations thereof.Other class 5 switch elements that may be applicable to the Coordinator,and are included with the present invention include customeridentification and authentication, customer security, attachmentinformation and capacities, reservations for utilizing the transmissionand distribution system, signaling to the electric grid or its operatorthe plurality of all the above. The Coordinator functions as an “energyrouter” whereby the messaging required to route supply, demand andtransmission/distribution capacity to and from the grid isdifferentiated from pure communications routing and relates to gridstability and improved grid performance. Thus, the Coordinator is notmerely functional as a traditional telecommunications router, butfurther includes the aforementioned messaging, management, and controlfunctionality required for supply or curtailment to the electric powergrid. The Coordinator is consistent with compliance as contemplated inthe aforementioned FERC orders where frequency deviations, security, andgrid performance are all now needed in an era of aging gridinfrastructure and a changing and dynamic load environment where thelegacy macro grid and the interim “Smart Grid” elements are not capableof responding to the new needs that FERC and NERC have identified andcharged the market participants to solve, which have not yet been solvedby any prior art, but which are addressed by the present invention. Theenergy routing function of the coordinator serves as a traffic manager,and a messaging engine, to track all the grid elements, securereservations and settlement information on the electric power grid andthe interface for one-to-many (i.e., one port for EMS to the many gridelements under the control of an EMS and supplying grid stability fromthe many to the one) allowing for microelements and distributedgeneration and distributed load curtailment to perform with the macrogrid without taxing and destroying the legacy infrastructure beyond itscapabilities and limitations; the Coordinator is further operable fortracking and maintaining status of all devices within its definedboundaries, or as described hereinabove with respect to PSV, ordetermined by the governing authority for the grid, which includes abalancing area, an ISO, a utility, a market participant, andcombinations thereof. FIG. 34 provides a schematic diagram illustratingthe Coordinator as part of the system and methods of the presentinvention. Additionally, since the Coordinator operates as “energyrouter” it is operable to register a new element, it functions to“reserve” a message to introduce it to the network.

Preferably, the Coordinator manages all registered supply and/or loadcurtailment as supply grid elements and/or devices according to theircharacteristics, profiles associated therewith, location, and capabilityfor responsiveness to the various electric power grid resourcerequirements. The Coordinator further operates to match and prioritizethese registered grid elements and/or devices and provides messaging oftheir information and/or matching and prioritization to communicationelements, including wireless and/or wireline carriers, so that themessaging is then prioritized through any or all of the networks forcommunication of any messages to the utility, market participant, gridoperator, EMS, and combinations thereof, based upon the grid resourcerequirements at any given time. Thus, the Coordinator provides priority“flags” on messaging that may be communicated over existingtelecommunications infrastructure to provide grid stability andresources messaging with priority messaging over other informationtransmitted through those communications networks regardless if theyhave been configured to offer priority or “class” of service or not,VPNs or not. In particular, since electric power generation,distribution and transmission is part of critical infrastructure andprovides an asset for national security in many countries, including theUnited States of America, the present invention provides for enhancedcritical infrastructure security with the priority messaging associatedwith the Coordinator and allows the Coordinator to take advantage of newchip and ASIC technologies that will accommodate multiple routes, VPNs,APNs, and IP addresses per device, ALC, ASD, GSS, SSS, Smart Meter,Service Point, transmission, distribution element or combinationsthereof.

The Coordinator is operable for and includes Layer 1-4 forcommunication, but additionally, and significantly, the Coordinatorfurther tracks and communicates and controls where elements are attachedto the grid, makes or communicates decisions about how the resources areused either with or without communication to an ALD or ASD, or EMS ifunavailable, communicates the status of any and all grid elements tolegacy distribution automation and transmission reporting subsystems andprovides for new methods for direct contribution by grid elements to thegrid stability through load curtailment and/or supply from any source,and for settlement of same, and the security, authentication, initialregistration of the devices with the grid, ALD, ASD, market participant,grid operators, their legacy subsystems and/or EMS for the electricpower grid; and change of status for those elements; and combinations ofthese, while simultaneously facilitating and routing those messages tothe appropriate subsystem to achieve the supply, curtailment, and/orgrid stability requested by the legacy subsystems, or through thepresent invention, all with IP-based messaging. Most preferably, usingdigitally encrypted secure IP messaging delivered through a network viaEthernet, wireless messaging, or proprietary methods, includingcarrier-grade wireless and/or wired networks for communication.

The Coordinator operates further for communication of all telemetry,settlement, tracking, and combinations thereof. All elements associatedwith the grid for supply and/or load curtailment are registered with theCoordinator and are routed within one or more ports within the EMS;thus, the Coordinator and its application or functionality within theelectric power grid, sending the signals, telemetry and messaging forprimary frequency control, grid stability, control events, dispatchschedules for supply sources (both pre-scheduled and dynamic/real timein response to electric power grid conditions), and combinationsthereof. The Coordinator also preferably includes functionality forclearing and reporting to and with transmission reservations subsystems.By way of example, prior art transmission reservations subsystems can berepresented by companies such as OATI's OASIS transmission reservationsystem (illustrated at the Internet website www.oatioasis.com), which isoverseen and regulated by FERC, but whose clearing and reporting isdeficient in enabling reservations below macro transmission levels, andwhose reservation systems include “firm” capacity and “non-firm”capacity that has very little value since its reliability is notassured. The present invention solves many of these problems and creates“actual measurable and verifiable transport capacity” by enhancing powerdistribution, settlement, and combinations thereof, by grid element, byservice point, by device and by consumer. Additionally, telemetry forsettlement for curtailment, supply from storage, and combinationsthereof, area managed through the Coordinator. The Coordinator isfurther constructed, configured, and operable in IP-based or proprietarymessaging communication, for providing a routing and controlarchitecture and methods analogous to the OSI model used intelecommunications networks worldwide, applied for grid supply, whetherGSS or SSS, and load curtailment management for any of the multiplicityof grid elements, and grid stability. The messages contemplated by thistype of energy routing and capacity creation in itself creates thepotential for a new standard for achieving FERC and NERC goals whileseamlessly integrating into legacy subsystems of current art of macroelectric utility architecture.

The method, system and apparatus embodiments of the present inventionfurther provide that the client devices, load consuming devices,generation/supply/source control devices, and/or generation supplysources, are operable to send change in state messages in lieu of aconstant stream of IP messages via a telemetry path. The change-in-statemessages provide the ability to only communicate the “deltas” (or changein state) and have the ALD, ASD, and/or server transmit, send, or streamthe telemetry from the last “known value” until that last known valuehas changed, by communicating a “delta” message, rather than constantlystreaming values, and may use “machine to machine” communications, texttelemetry, or any low bit rate telemetry method that meets therequirements as established by the governing entity, but is capable ofcomplying while simultaneously utilizing the transmission bandwidth andlatency that is available at a service point or device. Thesechange-in-state messages preferably include the necessary information toreport the Power Supply Value (PSV), PTB, and/or any other gridstability messages on an event basis rather than merely a telemetrybasis and to send those messages through a server, and are transmittedto an energy management system (EMS) via a format as determined by thegrid operator, microgrid operator, and/or other grid control entitywhile simultaneously achieving primary frequency control and gridstability at the service point and storing at the ALC, ASD, ALD, ASD orcombinations thereof the necessary information in granular formatsufficient to transmit for settlement or measurement & verificationprocesses later either when better transmission speeds are available orretrievable by a manual intervention such as a smart phone, tablet ordrive by apparatus where the memory may be downloaded to a mobileclient.

The systems, methods, and apparatus embodiments of the present inventionfurther provide for commands issued either directly by the EMS,Coordinator, ASD, ASC, ALD, ALC, load consuming device, “Smart ElectricMeter” and its subcomponents (processor/memory), or by programming aclient device such as a programmable thermostat or building controlsystem, wherein the commands anticipate the activation of a loadcurtailment event for any load consuming device (such as an HVAC system,a system profile that has been programmed for supply side indices suchas market price of power or Operating Reserves or load side indices thattake a consumer's preferences into account, or any other sensor) or theactivation of a supply or demand event for any supply source associatedwith the electric power grid.

Just prior to the activation of the load consuming device a precisemeasurement of total load as measured by the meter or submeter, ALC, orload consuming device is made as to ascertain its contribution to thetotal amount of electricity prior to the activation of the loadconsuming device. Similarly, for ASD, ASC, or any supply source, GSS orSSS, electric supply availability and electric supply existing at theattachment point(s) is determined. Measurements by the sameaforementioned measuring elements are made after the activation of thegrid element, whether a load consuming or supply device or otherelement. Either through a baseline measurement or with precise timing ofmeasuring the “before” and “after” load or supply contribution by theactivation of the grid element is recorded in the ALC or ASC, device, orpassed to the Coordinator or the EMS via an IP message utilizing one ofthe aforementioned communications methods to the ALD, ASD, and/orCoordinator, or is stored in the ALD, ASD, and/or Coordinator until a“change-in-state” message is communicated directly to the ALD, ASD,and/or Coordinator, so that it might be used in the calculation of loadremoved, “cut”, reduced, or “added”, or supply available or supplyprovided, in response to an ALD, ASD, and/or Coordinator, apre-programmed load curtailment or supply profile, or in response tocommands from an Energy Management System (EMS), or correspondingly, theALC, ASC, Coordinator, a pre-programmed supply profile, or combinationsthereof, or in response to commands from an EMS (preferably via theCoordinator) for active supply management from any supply source,whether generation, storage, or combinations thereof.

The following examples illustrating embodiments for the systems,methods, and apparatus of the present invention follow the FERCregulations 745, 750, and 755 introduced in 2011 for Load Curtailment,Supply from Storage, and Supply from Generation.

Example Load Curtailment for Supply Equivalent

Relating to the load curtailment for providing a supply equivalent, FIG.1B provides a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary active loadclient (ALC) smart meter use case example according to the presentinvention, wherein the ALC is shown as a component of the system of FIG.1A. Additionally, or alternatively, by way of example and notlimitation, smart breakers and command relay devices, are grid elementsaccording to the present invention, and may be considered and operatedas submeters for measurement and verification purposes. FIG. 1Cillustrates a flow diagram of methods according to the present inventionfor tracking power usage and PSV generation, which is an importantcomponent of embodiments of the present invention, as will be describedin more detail in the specification hereinbelow. In other method stepsfor the present invention, FIG. 1D illustrates a flow diagram of methodsaccording to the present invention for tracking state of ALCs having anIP address within an electric power grid system. FIG. 2 is a schematicdiagram providing an overview of an IP-based active energy managementsystem (EMS) in accordance with the present invention, includingcomponents of ALC, ALD, IP-based communication, load control devices andpower consuming devices, which are described in more detail in thefollowing specification. As illustrated, the EMS/Grid Operator/MarketParticipant/Retail Electric Provider/Independent PowerProducer/Automatic Generation Control component(s) of the system of thepresent invention are in networked communication with ALD(s) viaIP-based communication methods, for communicating load control events tocontrol devices and/or ALCs for managing load consumed by powerconsuming devices. A variety of system elements are illustrated forexemplary purposes, to show the interaction between the power generationor source provider and the power consuming devices. Notably, manydevices may be constructed and configured for communication through theALD such that they are controlled by an EMS, as illustrated in thesefigures, in particular in FIG. 2.

In another aspect of factors addressed by the present invention, FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary system arrangement forconservation voltage reduction (CVR). Transmission lines, illustrated onthe left side of the diagram, transfer electric power from the powergeneration source, which may be a utility, to an electrical bus orsubstation, where it is transformed to provide distribution voltages(e.g., about 6.9 kV in this example and single phase) to additionaltransformers, indicated as F1, F2, F3, . . . FN, where voltagemeasurement along the feeder via ALC(s). Under current standards,voltages must be kept at between about +/−3% and about +/−5%, but in anycase maintained as required by standards, for final distribution at theend of the line to prevent damage to power consuming devices. The ALCspreferably transmit voltage information and line loss information to theALD(s). The ALD establishes a phase/voltage “locked” loop toautomatically control the voltages so that the CVR creates megawatts ofoperating reserves according to the methods and systems of the presentinvention.

Also, by way of introduction to the commercial application of thepresent invention, considering basic operations of the electric powergrid is helpful, in conjunction with the PRIOR ART figures referencedherein. PRIOR ART FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating generation,transmission, distribution, and load consumption within a traditionalelectric power grid. PRIOR ART FIG. 5 is a schematic diagramillustrating traditional transmission systems that connect to electricpower sources to distribution facilities, including smart metering andadvanced metering.

PRIOR ART FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating power generation orsupply balancing with customer demand for electric power within a grid.PRIOR ART FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating balancing areas andtheir interaction for power generation or supply balancing with customerdemand for electric power within a grid, where utilities are connectedby transmission lines and balancing areas. PRIOR ART FIG. 8 is aschematic diagram illustrating regions and balancing areas and theirinteraction for power generation or supply balancing with customerdemand for electric power within a grid. These balancing areas (BAs)provide for opportunities for the electric power grid and/or amultiplicity of grids that are constructed and configured for networkedcommunication and power distribution therebetween. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, all communication passes through at least oneCoordinator for providing the one-to-many coordination of communication,messaging, etc. between the many grid elements and the EMS, inside agiven BA or between BAs, which may involve at least one Coordinator foreach BA, thereby providing for managed, coordinated cross-communicationof status, change-in-status, grid stability metrics, control messages,and combinations thereof. One of the main reasons for collaborationacross BAs is illustrated by PRIOR ART FIG. 9, showing a graphicillustration of daily load shape and base load for electric power gridoperations, including sufficient operating reserves to address peak loadconditions. A single grid or sector within a grid may not be operable tomanage its operating reserves through curtailment or additionalgeneration, in particular according to time requirements, as shown inPRIOR ART FIG. 10, where operating reserves are indicated as havingdifferent types of responsiveness required for generation and operationof an electric power grid. By way of further explanation, PRIOR ART FIG.11 bar graph shows applications of operating reserves of different typesand communications networks and timing for control events. Finally,PRIOR ART FIG. 12 illustrates balancing resources within an electricpower grid, including grid stability elements of frequency.

The present invention systems and methods provide hereinbelow for powertrade blocks or power trading blocks (PTBs) for facilitating thecollaboration across balancing areas and regions for supply and loadcurtailment management, for increasing power available, operatingreserves, and/or grid stability. In preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, at least one PTB is introduced and/or provided to theelectric power grid, including method steps of: valuing, trading,selling, bartering, sharing, exchanging, crediting, and combinationsthereof. Thus the present invention provides for electric trading marketacross BAs or microgrids or individual load consuming customers orsupply sources, whether generation, storage, or distribution ortransmission.

Telemetry, measurement, verification, PSV, PTB, and other factorsdescribed herein, in compliance with FERC 745, 750, and 755, providewith the present invention the capacity for customers providingcurtailment as operating reserves to be compensated for megawatts at theclearing price, and for supply to be provided or indicated as availableto be provided, and compensated or settled for megawatts at the clearingprice. Clearing prices are either determined by many attributesincluding their location of where the power is delivered or accepted bya generator of power or a purchaser of power. The term “LocationalMarginal Pricing (LMP)” refers to a node where power is either deliveredfrom a generator or accepted by a purchaser. A node corresponds to aphysical bus or collection of buses within the network or any othergeodetically defined boundary as specified by the governing entity. Aload or supply zone is defined as an aggregation of nodes. The zonalprice is the load-weighted average of the prices of all nodes in thezone. A hub is defined as the representative selection of nodes tofacilitate long-term commercial energy trading. The hub price is asimple average of LMPs at all hub locations. An external or proxy nodeis defined as the location that serves as a proxy for trading betweenISO-Balancing area and its neighbors.

For vertically integrated utilities that do not have open markets asISOs, their delivery or acceptance of power can occur at theirboundaries of their “Balancing Area”, which is defined as the geographywhere their transmission and distribution system extends and is subjectto grid stability maintained by that utility. Balancing Authorityboundaries can also be delivery points or (LMP) pricing points. Itshould be noted that vertically integrated utilities are subject to thesame FERC and NERC rules as decoupled utilities in ISOs, except invertically integrated utilities, local public utility commissions havemore authority to enforce and enhance rules since the rate base is beingcharged for improvements to the grid within the balancing area (BA) thatthe utility serves. FIG. 17B is a table illustrating three FERC orders(745, 750, 755 all from 2011) and their applicability to the electricpower grid load management and distributed supply addressed by thevarious systems, methods and apparatus embodiments for presentinvention. The trend in the world market is to inject market forces toutilities such that they must follow new FERC rules that permit the useof demand response technologies/load curtailment technologies to promotethe need for fewer large scale, primarily fossil fuel power plants.

Power is generally traded in terms of “Capacity” the reserved peakamount of power that a generator agrees to reserve for the utility,market participant, or REP; and “Energy” is defined as the amount ofpower consumed by the utility, market participant, REP or any entitythat is authorized to buy, sell or distribute power for the electricpower grid, consumers, particularly commercial accounts, also purchasepower in this manner. Energy is settled on the wholesale market in“MegaWatt Hours”, which is defined as one (1) million watts ofelectricity consumed at a metering point, or interchange of power such aLMP, transmission tie point between two utilities, a commercial customerlarge enough to consume such an amount, a utility (generating ordistributing) or a market participant including a REP that generallypurchases the power from a generating utility and utilizes thedistribution network to supply its power purchased at the wholesalelevel and distributes its power to end consumers/customers generally insmaller increments of measurement “kilowatt hours (kWH).” Theseincrements are important due to the introduction of programs involvingutilizing curtailment technologies enabled by FERC Order 745, 750, 755whereby utilities, market participants, REPs and CSPs may aggregatetheir curtailment/DR and/or supply in increments of “kW-representing acapacity figure” and “kWH” which represents avoided energy. Peak“capacity” charges are settled based upon intervals whereby theinstantaneous peak (kW/MW) determines the “capacity” charge.

In particular, by way of more detailed explanation, in 2011, FERC issueda series of orders (745, 750, 755) that have had a pronounced impact onthe injection of new technologies, particularly distributed loadresource, curtailment, demand response technologies, and distributedsupply sources, to the market to be implemented across all of the US andwith direct applicability to World markets. FERC Order 745, issued Mar.15, 2011 and adopted April 2011, and which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, provides that utilities, market participants,CSPs, REPs or any other entity that can aggregate a minimum tradingblock of power that can be accepted into the market, BA, or utilityservice area or regional trading area (RTO) must be compensated for suchcurtailment/load resource and demand response technology at the clearingprice at the nearest LMP as though it was generation. Said plainly,“Negawatts” have the same value as “Megawatts.” Controversial,particularly to those utilities that still have the antiquated practiceof rate base recovery of assets to insure profits, the conditions ofwhich these “Negawatts” are compensated as “Megawatts” place a highvalue on those curtailment/load resource/demand response technologiesthat can create utility Operating Reserves for the benefit of gridstability. Operating Reserves, previously defined, come in differentcapacity and energy products or their equivalencies in the case ofcurtailment/load resources/demand response and are compensated at thenearest LMP based upon their ability to perform to the same level ofmeasurement, verification, responsiveness (latency) and settlement asgeneration. This high standard has the practical effect of rewardingthose advanced technologies that can perform as generation equivalencies(load resources), while still allowing capacity products (traditionaland advanced demand response) to also participate in the market andperform the valuable function of providing capacity and energy resourceswithout the need for transmission losses (avoided power avoidstransmission of kWH/MWH to the endpoint, therefore freeing uptransmission and distribution lines to carry power elsewhere where it isneeded). It should be noted that most utilities do not have accuratemeasurements of distribution losses below their electrical bus(substation levels) and as such high performance, IP based ALCs/servicepoints that allow this information to be brought forward to the utilityoperations promote the Operating Reserves and “Negawatts” and add totheir value.

Related US patents and patent applications, including U.S. applicationSer. No. 13/172,389, filed Jun. 29, 2011, which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 12/715,195, filed Mar. 1, 2010, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,032,233, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/895,909 filed Aug. 28, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,715,951, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety; thesedocuments include descriptions of some active load management withinpower grids, and provide additional background and context for thepresent invention systems and methods.

Also, in this document, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,”“top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or element from another entity or element without necessarilyrequiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or orderbetween such entities or elements. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,”or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusiveinclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus thatcomprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, butmay include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to suchprocess, method, article, or apparatus. The term “plurality of” as usedin connection with any object or action means two or more of such objector action. A claim element proceeded by the article “a” or “an” doesnot, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additionalidentical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus thatincludes the element.

By way of definition and description supporting the claimed subjectmatter, preferably, the present invention includes communicationmethodologies for messaging via a communication layer. IP-basedcommunications over a network are most preferred. Correspondingly, andconsistent with the communication methodologies for messaging accordingto the present invention, as used throughout this specification, figuresand claims, the term “ZigBee” refers to any wireless communicationprotocol adopted by the Institute of Electronics & Electrical Engineers(IEEE) according to standard 802.15.4 or any successor standard(s), theterm “Wi-Fi” refers to any communication protocol adopted by the IEEEunder standard 802.11 or any successor standard(s), the term “WiMax”refers to any communication protocol adopted by the IEEE under standard802.16 or any successor standard(s), and the term “Bluetooth” refers toany short-range communication protocol implementing IEEE standard802.15.1 or any successor standard(s). Additionally or alternatively toWiMax, other communications protocols may be used, including but notlimited to a “1 G” wireless protocol such as analog wirelesstransmission, first generation standards based (IEEE, ITU or otherrecognized world communications standard), a “2G” standards basedprotocol such as “EDGE or CDMA 2000 also known as 1XRTT”, a 3G basedstandard such as “High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) or Evolution for DataOnly (EVDO), any accepted 4G standard such as “IEEE, ITU standards thatinclude WiMax, Long Term Evolution “LTE” and its derivative standards,any Ethernet solution wireless or wired, or any proprietary wireless orpower line carrier standards that communicate to a client device or anycontrollable device that sends and receives an IP based message. Theterm “High Speed Packet Data Access (HSPA)” refers to any communicationprotocol adopted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) oranother mobile telecommunications standards body referring to theevolution of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standardbeyond its third generation Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS) protocols. The term “Long Term Evolution (LTE)” refers to anycommunication protocol adopted by the ITU or another mobiletelecommunications standards body referring to the evolution ofGSM-based networks to voice, video and data standards anticipated to bereplacement protocols for HSPA. The term “Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) Evolution Date-Optimized (EVDO) Revision A (CDMA EVDO Rev. A)”refers to the communication protocol adopted by the ITU under standardnumber TIA-856 Rev. A.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention describedherein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors andunique stored program instructions that control the one or moreprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processorcircuits, some, most, or all of the functions for managing power loaddistribution and tracking individual subscriber power consumption andsavings in one or more power load management systems as describedherein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to,radio receivers, radio transmitters, antennas, modems, signal drivers,clock circuits, power source circuits, relays, meters, smart breakers,current sensors, and user input devices. As such, these functions may beinterpreted as steps of a method to distribute information and controlsignals between devices in a power load management system.Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a statemachine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each functionor some combinations of functions are implemented as custom logic. Ofcourse, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methodsand means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it isexpected that one of ordinary skill in the art, notwithstanding possiblysignificant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example,available time, current technology, and economic considerations, whenguided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readilycapable of generating such software instructions, programs andintegrated circuits (ICs), and appropriately arranging and functionallyintegrating such non-processor circuits, without undue experimentation.

Recently, the IEEE and ITU have released improved WiMax and Long TermEvolution wireless standards that have facilitated the consideration ofnew technologies to improve the response and control of power loadcontrol devices employing smart breaker and smart disconnect switchesthat include advanced smart meters where IP multimedia gateways areembedded or attach as separate connected printed circuit boards,submetering technologies that possess sufficient “revenue grade”metrology such that the measurements provided by these devices may beaccepted for settlement purposes. The term “revenue grade” is anindustry term, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart, a percentage of accuracy determined by ANSI, which means that powermeasurement must be within ½% of the actual value being consumed. Thus,calibration standards are provided accordingly to OEMs of powermeasuring devices and/or chips. In embodiments of the systems andmethods of the present invention, these calibration standards are metvia components including a chipset and related software, and thetransmittal of the power measurement information via IP-basedcommunications as set forth hereinabove. Baselining techniques thatprovide a reference power usage point, sampling techniques that allowfor verification of the power “state” and power consumption data forelectricity consuming devices (inductive or resistive), reactive power,Power Factor, start-up current, duty cycles, voltage, consumptionforecasts and most importantly real-time or near real time powermeasurement sampling, etc. are required to derive a Power Supply Value(PSV) that includes an American National Standards Institute (ANSI),ISO, grid operator, governing body revenue measurement, etc., which ispreferably aggregated to reach the size of at least a single Power TradeBlock (PTB) unit for the purposes of optimally monetizing the activeload management from the customer perspective. PTBs are dependent on agrid operator, regional transmission operator, or independent systemoperator to determine the capacity size (in kW or MW) or energy data in(kWH or MWH) that can be accepted for bidding, trading, settlement bythe utility, the end consumer/customer, the market participant, the CSP,demand response aggregator or any entity authorized by the governmententity that regulates grid operators such as FERC, NERC etc. Generallydue to measurement, verification, transmission and/or distributionmodeling (which considers the impact to the grid from the curtailmentactivities at any geodetic location on the grid, but generally modeledby electrical bus or substation), the minimum acceptable PBT is 100 kWat the time of the present invention. This limitation is not expected tobe permanent, given these advancements in measurement/verification, thenear real time or real time IP/Ethernet based telemetry capabilitiespresented by a plurality of various communications methods as discussedin this embodiment and the advancements in service oriented architecturebased (SOA) software and hardware subsystems, when combined with an ALDand ALC that can perform at a sublevel such that the minimum PTB can bedetermined at the device, home, building, service point, commercial,industrial, transformer, feeder, substation, transmission line and anysub-point along the transmission and distribution feeder system of anelectrical grid as so long as minimum telemetry, measurement,verifications, validation are met and are capable of being aggregated toa minimum PTB acceptable to the grid operator, ISO, RTO, BA or any otherincrement of grid topography used now or in the future for settlingpower block increments by sub-PTB.

Embodiments of the present invention expand upon and enhance priortechnologies by, among other things, employing WiMax, High Speed PacketAccess (HSPA), Evolution for Data Only (EVDO), both considered 3^(rd)generation wireless standards, Long Term Evolution (LTE), considered atthe time of the invention as a “4G” standard and its derivativestandards that are most assuredly to be introduced during the life ofthis invention, IEEE 802.11 (X) also known as “WiFi” and its derivativestandards inclusive of “Multiple Input Multiple Output” (MIMO), as setforth in the communication methodologies hereinabove, a plurality ofproprietary mesh and point to point communications solutions or anyInternet Protocol (IP)-based load control in a system with the abilityto monitor and measure, in real time or in sufficient time increments tosatisfy the telemetry performance standards as established by theGovernment or governing bodies (ex: National Electric ReliabilityCorporation (NERC), the Federal Energy Reliability Commission (FERC) theamount of power deferred, conserved or removed (or carbon, SO₂, or NO₂eliminated), such as by way of example the Kyoto or Copenhagen Protocolsthat set up carbon credits. These improvements allow new options forelectric utilities or any market participant to defer or invest in newpower generation that is friendlier to the environment.

IP-based power management is advantageous over existing systems for manyreasons. This is particularly true for communications and control thatemploy Internet Protocol Version 6 (V6) whereby each of the multiplicityof grid elements, including but not limited to load consuming device(ALC), meter, load control device, programmable thermostat (PCT),building control system or any device utilized for the measurement andcontrol of power, and any supply-related element or device and relatedsensors and controllers, and their corresponding derivation of PSVand/or PTB for the purpose of power management, whether curtailment orsupply, can have its own static IP address, virtual private network withenhanced security, to provide for operating reserves acceptable to thegrid regulator, operator, or equivalent. Revenue grade metrology andIP-communication of a unique identifier, such as by way of example andnot limitation, a static IP address or dynamically assigned IP addressthrough IP V4 to provide for a unique identifier at that time, for eachof the grid elements or device(s), control device(s), the Coordinator,and combinations thereof are critical for the real-time aggregation ofPSVs to form at least one PTB corresponding to the load curtailmentevent. Thus, every piece of hardware having an IMEI (internationalmanufacturer equipment identifier) and electronic serial numbers or MACaddress are combinable with IP V6 so that each device has a uniqueidentifier that provides for enhanced security and settlement. Otherwell established methods of secure transmission include the use ofencryption “keys” widely used amongst the transmission of informationbetween two IP based or proprietary solutions for the securecommunication of PSVs, PTBs, equipment identifiers, “states”, or anyother grid stabilizing command, control or status message necessary toimplement advanced load curtailment, load resources, or demand responsefor purposes of creating or aggregating individual load sources, groupsof load sources, or any sub increment to create Operating Reserves andother grid stabilizing reserves that improve grid stability andoperation. And correspondingly, for all supply availability and/oractual supply provided or introduced to the electric power grid, PSVsand PTBs, are aggregated as power supply sources in groups, or any subincrement to create distributed power supply for introduction at anypredetermined attachment points, geographic locations, and combinationsthereof, provided that it complies with all requirements, by way ofexample and not limitation, FERC, NERC, governing authority rules andrequirements, etc.

For example, the Coordinator provides for positive control allows asystem controller to receive a response from an end device installed ata customer location, which indicates that the actual target device hasturned “off” or “on”, or reduced, as in the case of a variable speedinductive device or a variable power consuming resistive device wherebycomplete operation is not interrupted but power consumption is reducedto create the operating reserve via curtailment of some but not all ofthe power from the power consuming device. Correspondingly, for powersupply, GSS or SSS elements provide for electric power supply availablefor introduction through attachment points for the grid. Additionally,each grid element or equipment identifier is unique and each IP addressis either dynamically assigned when the device is activated (e.g.,through use of the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)) orstatically assigned by the serving IP network, thereby providingenhanced security to protect against an act of random terrorism orsabotage inadvertently shutting down power services. Existing powermanagement systems, including those utilizing radio subsystems thatoperate in unlicensed and uncontrolled spectrum bands such as the FCC isin bands, do not address security problems adequately and thus are morelikely susceptible to hostile or malicious acts. Further embodiments ofthese identifiers include the use of MAC addresses, standards basedencryption keys, and the normal encryption technologies that areinherent with the use of standards based communications methods such asHSPA, EVDO and LTE where packets are encrypted from the point they leavethe radio base station or in some cases the router and even theapplication layer itself. Further embodiments include Virtual PrivateNetwork (VPN) and VPN tunnels that form virtual physical layerconnections via an IP transport layer.

The market for electric power forecasts its needs on a predeterminedbasis, e.g., at least one day ahead of the event for load curtailment orsupply request. Load amounts for generation or curtailment are providedfor at least one location, geography, BA, and/or attachment point forthe grid; also, corresponding pricing for those load amounts, dependingupon the timing for the event, are also provided. Standby and clearingof energy supply are provided. These are generally controlled by anenergy trader in the market. Allocation is made for regulating reserves,operating reserves, ancillary resources, real-time energy, andcombinations thereof. For example a bid is submitted to ERCOT. Thestatus of each grid element, including load-consuming devices and supplysources is provided through messaging, preferably through theCoordinator; also, the Coordinator provides for information andmessaging relating to grid element or device identification, capacity,status, etc. The Coordinator is the routing, status, capacity,identifier, tracking, and/or control communicator between themultiplicity of grid elements and the EMS or control server, ASD. Byreference to FIG. 1A, ALC communicates its status through an ALD, ASD,and/or the Coordinator to the EMS and/or grid operator. Thecommunication occurs through the various methods and componentsidentified herein. The message from the grid element and/or device,including identification of the element or device, capacity,availability for supply or load curtailment, etc. Significantly, eachgrid element and/or device must be registered with the grid foractivation and active participation in the grid for load curtailmentand/or supply inclusive of the market participant who serves or controlsthe grid element. In preferred embodiments, this registration occursthrough the Coordinator and via IP messaging, and the telemetry isprovided as required by the grid for those specific grid elements ordevices, and depending upon their participation and role in the grid.For example, telemetry streams at different rates for regulatingreserves (real-time or change state every six seconds) and dead bandcontrolled separately by the EMS, through the Coodinator, ALD,controller, etc.

IP-based systems are also bandwidth or network efficient. For example,IP devices are controlled via the 7-layer Open Systems Interconnection(OSI) model whereby the payload of each packet can contain a message or“change in state” or any other message required in the previousembodiments for purposes of stabilizing, statusing and the creation ofOperating Reserves for an electric grid or microgrid and does notrequire synchronous communication. This method of transmission (forexample “UDP” communications) allows for very minimum overhead and lowdata rates on a broadband network. For proprietary ‘mesh” networks whosebandwidth performance is very poor and an IP message may be encapsulatedin a proprietary data packet that may or may not contain encryption, anefficient asynchronous communication method may be the only way to sendout a plurality of messages and message type for command and control orstatus reporting. Additionally, IP devices can report many states thatare important to an electric grid operator, market participant. Thesestates supply compliance information necessary for the entity to receivecommand and control to insure the safe and reliable operation of thegrid, but are also necessary for measurement, verification, telemetry,settlement and Power Supply Values (PSVs) to provide the informationneeded to comply with the grid operator's standards to deliver OperatingReserves or any Demand response products where the end results improvegrid stability and will allow the consumer, utility, market participant,REP, CSP etc. to receive monetary compensation for supplying theseproducts as contemplated in FERC Order 745. These commands, including“no power” for outage or for simple demand response compliance measuredand verified at the device level, the meter level, the electrical buslevel or a plurality of all the above. Furthermore these commands areaggregated and presented to the grid operator or utility so that “many”end points can be simultaneously operated as one resource and responsiveto an EMS. For example, the active load client 300 may be implementedwith a battery backup mechanism to provide backup or auxiliary power tothe active load client 300 when AC power is lost. In this case, whenbattery backup is invoked, the active load client 300 can report a “nopower” condition. Alternatively, a “no power” condition may be assumedif an active load client 300 fails to timely respond to a message (e.g.,a poll or other message) from the ALD server 100, particularly wheremultiple active load clients 300 in a geographic area fail to timelyrespond to the ALD server messaging or multiple UDP packets receive noacknowledgement. Because the geographic location of each customerpremises and active load client 300 may be known at the time ofinstallation or thereafter (e.g., using GPS coordinates), such networkoutages may be located on a per meter basis, or per load consumingdevice basis.

A multiplicity of use cases for communications is provided under thesystems and methods of the present invention. Messaging under thepresent invention includes any and all commands, queries, etc. thatrelate to the profiles of the devices, “health” of the grid, statusinformation, etc. Profiles automatically drive what is started, when,for controlled restart, rather than only controlled restart commanded bythe utility; the present invention provides for either the profilesand/or the utility to communicate for command and control, in particularfor providing for grid stability and/or supply resource information.

Further embodiment allows the ALD, ASD, and/or Coordinator server toprovide prior to the loss of communication or power a set of profiles orcommands to be executed at the ALC or ASC level such that they operateautonomously providing the operating reserves that the grid operator orutility desires, storing the measurement and verification informationfor transmittal later, or in the case of a power loss, very precise“re-start” procedures such that the simultaneous impact of a powerrestoration from a grid operator does not have the adverse effect ofoverloading the generation and distribution system. These embodiments ofa “controlled restart” may also apply to a Customer Profile where themost mission critical devices at a consumer location are prioritized,known to the utility via a Power Supply Value and other loadcharacteristics such as power factor, voltage, current, reactive poweror any other grid stabilizing metric that is reported historically bythe ALC such that the grid operator OR the customer can use theseautonomous profiles, autonomous ALCs and memory in same to create“microgrids” that autonomously operate independent of the macro-gridoperator and provide grid stabilizing load resources to those consumersthat are isolated via the microgrid where other supply sources that canpower and operate the microgrid either under the operation of a computercontrolled system and apparatus or a separate utility or microgridoperator exists and may operate autonomously until communication with ahost ALD is re-established.

One of the most beneficial advantages of an IP-based power managementsystem, as provided in one embodiment of the present invention, isaccurate reporting of the actual amount of power available for thecreation of Operating Reserves via a distinct PSV value at the time thereserves are needed, a forecast of Power available via the customerprofiles due to a plurality of methods that include known “expected”behavior of customer and load consuming devices, the baseline methodspreviously described, and the ability to allocate different types ofoperating reserves based upon the Grid Operator, CSP, MP, Utility, andequivalent's needs at the given condition of the grid as well as powersaved by each customer on an individual basis. Embodiments of thepresent invention monitor and calculate precisely how many kilowatts (orcarbon credits) are being generated or saved per customer instead ofmerely providing an estimate. These values are stored in a Power SupplyValue (PSV), wherein the historical consumption, the real timeconsumption, the baseline consumption data as provided by standardssupplied by the governing body (NAESBY, FERC, NERC) establish the PSVthat is used for transmitting via the IP message the informationnecessary for grid stabilizing operating reserves. Furthermore,embodiments of the present invention provide means for tracking theactual amount of deferred load and pollutants according to generationmix, serving utility and geographic area. These deferred pollutants arerecognized as “Renewable Energy Credits” as exemplified by the recentlypassed North Carolina Law known as Senate Bill 567, where these PSVderived “Negawatts” count towards a generating and distributingutilities obligations for supplying renewable energy as a percentage oftheir total generation mix. According to the present invention, ifdevice curtailment or supply is measured, verified, settled within theparameters established, then utility can accept the supply that wouldhave been available in the case of curtailment event, then renewableenergy credits are available to the consumer/device, i.e., megawattsequal renewable energy credits.

The present invention provides systems and methods for managing powersupplied over an electric power grid by an electric utility and/or othermarket participants to multiple power consuming devices, each of whichhaving a Power Supply Value (PSV) associated with its energy consumptionand/or reduction in consumption. Preferably, according the systems andmethods of the present invention, generation of the PSV includesestimating and/or baselining. Furthermore, PSV applications for carboncredits may be geodetically dependent, measured, or computed based uponelectricity consumed from a source; for carbon credits, PSV is thenbased upon fossil fuel electricity eliminated through efficiency,reduction and baselining, provided that the PSV is measurable andverifiable.

The present invention systems, methods, and apparatus embodimentsprovide for any grid element or device to communicate, in IP format orany proprietary messaging, any message that improves, modifies,enhances, changes, and combinations thereof, the characteristics inmemory, ASIC, metrology, location, security, status, change-in-state,and combinations thereof, including PSV, PTB, or other information aboutparticipation in activities in the grid, including grid stabilityenhancement, load curtailment, real-time energy management, supplyavailability, metrology tables, device assignment, and combinationsthereof. More preferably, all messaging, including initial deviceregistration and any updates, are provided between the multiplicity ofgrid elements or devices and the Coordinator, and managed from andthrough the Coordinator for one-to-many communications with the EMS,grid operator, supervisory control and distribution control andautomation, transmission control, or any active grid management system.

Power flow from supply sources, whether GSS or SSS, to the grid, and/orpower flow through the grid to the power consuming devices isselectively introduced, enabled, reduced and disabled by one or morecontrollable devices controlled by the Coordinator, and measured withPSV and PTB accuracies that are able to be recognized by the governingbodies within revenue grade metrology such that the ALC and/or ASCbecomes in essence a sub-meter with PSV values that can report over theIP connection, preferably through the Coordinator, a plurality of statesfor any grid element or device, necessary for grid stability and controlover each ALC/ASC via the ALD/ASC such that each distribution point onthe grid may be stabilized at each point of the distribution ortransmission system to effect grid stabilization holistically ratherthan reacting to conditions as they occur. Power control messages from acontrolling server, preferably communicated through the Coordinator,indicate amounts of electric power to be reduced and/or OperatingReserves to be created, and/or supply to be introduced at predeterminedattachment points or location, and an identification of at least onecontrollable device to be instructed to disable, reduce or consume morea flow of electric power to one or more associated power consumingdevices depending on the type of Operating Reserves needed at the timeof activation by the ALD through the IP connection to the associated ALCto create the desired Operating Reserve or grid stabilizing reserves.Notably, the power control commands include a power inquiry commandrequesting the server to determine an amount of electric power available(PSV) for temporary reduction or increase from supply or adding tosupply (for example, Auto Reg up for regulating reserves/Reg Down) by arequesting electric utility, market participant or electric power gridoperator(s) and wherein the command processor issues an associated powercontrol event message responsive to the power inquiry command, theserver further comprising: a database that stores current power usageinformation for the at least one electric utility or electric power gridoperator(s), wherein the event manager (or Coordinator) accesses theutility database responsive to receipt of the associated power controlevent message and communicates a response to the power inquiry commandindicating the amount of power available for temporary reduction basedon the current power usage information and the corresponding PowerSupply Value (PSV), estimated, derived or generated therefrom. Thispolling command also functions as an “alert” to provide the powerconsuming device via the ALC/ASC to report the PSV, PTB, state, reactivepower, voltage, current, or any other grid stabilizing metric to theALD/ASD such that the ALD/ASD can by electrical bus, by regionaltransmission organization, by Balancing Authority, by microgrid, byindividual consumer or by individual transformer or any other system atany point on the distribution system of the grid or microgrid aplurality of information such that the ALD/ASD/Coordinator canprioritize the order, the type of curtailment, reduction in power orprofile to effect to stabilize the grid or microgrid or to supply theutility, REP, market participant, CSP or other an instantaneous andaccurate snapshot of the available resource for dispatch and to preparethe ALC/ASC to look for a priority message delivered via an IP flag orspecially formatted message so that the message combined with the Alerthas the grid stabilizing effect. Thus, the present invention systems andmethods provide for creation of the grid stability product and/oroperating reserve; messaging is used for status, grid “health”, down todevice level.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, operating reservemessages are prioritized over network, including over other traffic onthe network. Furthermore, priority messaging is further includes so thaton standards-based or proprietary communications networks that havesufficient speed, measurement (PSV) and are responsive to an EMS and/orCoordinator that have network priority over other packets, such thatemergency and/or critical infrastructure protection power managementcommands receive priority over any other power control commands, totransmit those messages over other non-critical traffic.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for managing poweron an electric power grid that is constructed and configured forsupplying and receiving power from a multiplicity of sources, where thepower flows to a plurality of power consuming devices or is generated bya plurality of power generation and storage solutions that are enabledand disabled by a plurality of controllable devices, wherein the systemincludes: a server comprising a command processor operable to receive orinitiate power control commands and issue power control event messagesresponsive thereto, at least one of the power control commands requiringa reduction or increase in an amount of electric power consumed by theplurality of power consuming devices or introduction or availability forintroduction of distributed power supply by GSS or SSS participant; anevent manager operable to receive the power control event messages,maintain at least one power management status relating to each clientdevice and issue power control event instructions responsive to thepower control event messages that may be initiated from a marketparticipant, a utility, or an electric grid operator; a database forstoring, information relating to power consumed by the plurality ofpower consuming devices and based upon the amount of power to be reducedto each of the power consuming devices or power supply source (GSS orSSS), generating at least one power supply value (PSV) or change in PSVassociated with each grid element, including transmission line losses inproximity associated with the location or attachment or service point ofthe grid element; and a client device manager operably coupled to theevent manager and the database, the client device manager selecting fromthe database, based on the information stored in the database, at leastone client device to which to issue a power control message indicatingat least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced or increasedor introduced by distributed supply source, and/or identification of atleast one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow ofelectric power to one or more associated power consuming devicesresponsive to receipt of a power control event instruction requiring areduction in a specified amount of electric power; the plurality ofcontrollable device and corresponding device interfaces facilitatingcommunication of power control instructions to the controllable devices,the power control instructions causing the at least one controllabledevice to selectively enable and disable a flow of power to the powerconsuming device(s); and a device control manager operably coupled tothe controllable device interfaces for issuing a power controlinstruction to the controllable devices through the controllable deviceinterfaces, responsive to the received power control message, the powercontrol instruction causing the controllable device(s) to disable a flowof electric power to at least one associated power consuming device forreducing consumed power, and based upon the reduction in consumed power,generating another (at least a second) power supply value (PSV)corresponding to the reduction in consumed power or power supplied oravailable for supply.

This embodiment may further include a combination of a processor,database, event manager, preferences manager and market conditions toinclude price of electric power, grid stabilization events and locationof customer relative to the grid operator's generation, transmission,and distribution elements would effect a change on the electric grid bya change in the power consuming devices utilizes some or all of theinformation provided by the grid operator, market participant, orutility to automatically or manually through a plurality ofcommunications methods (smart phone, tablet computer, computer, textresponse, phone message) elect to curtail or consume power to effect achange to the normal operation of a plurality of power consuming powerdevices in exchange for credits, economic/monetary incentives, rewardsprograms, or carbon/green credits. This provides that a customerreceives a real time or near real time signal from a grid operator thatalerts them to an economic event that would allow them to makesubstantial compensation for curtailing or accepting power at thatminimum time interval for both reporting and responding as establishedby the governing entity. This is real-time pricing for gridstress/stabilization or very high commodity pricing.

Preferably, market pricing conditions via a customer profile that can beloaded to a smart phone, tablet, or any web-enabled appliance foraccepting or modifying a profile or moreover a profile that automatedcontrols based upon previously selected economic messages.

Embodiments of the present invention include an exemplary system forsupporting a serving utility or power distributor (e.g., such as amunicipality, electric cooperative, or any other wholesale or retailproducer of electric power, and/or any market participant associatedwith electric power consumption, reduction of consumption, and/orsupply, and combinations thereof), methods for providing continuous,real time active power control in the system, and a method fordetermining how much actual load may be controlled at any given time forthe purposes of conservation, alternative power generation and thecreation of carbon (and other gaseous emissions) credits, which are allunder the authority of grid operator, governing authority, orequivalent, and based upon corresponding regulations such as by way ofexample and not limitation FERC, NERC, etc.

Additional embodiments of the present invention provide a system thatimplements the exemplary methods through the unique use of loadinformation, location of customers consuming electricity, changes instate of controlled devices, current sensing, customer setpoints/preferences and artificial intelligence (e.g., as implementedthrough software) to optimize the presentation of load available to theserving utility for control.

Generally, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention aredirected towards the real time (active) control of residential andcommercial electrical devices that generally are 240V or less. However,specific features and functions may also be applicable to largercommercial installations that are greater than 240V. The descriptionherein is intended to provide a practical implementation of real timeload management for either voluntary or involuntary participants overlarge geographies and ideally for many serving electrical powerproducers, wholesalers or distributors or market participants of anykind as defined by the governing entities. The exemplary methods andsystems disclosed in the present invention may be implemented by anindividual market participant provider, or a third party monitoringservice that tracks and manages power loading for one or more marketparticipants. This application describes the necessary methods andgenerally describes software subsystems for both a host function (e.g.,an active load director (ALD) server) and a companion active load client(ALC).

One embodiment of the present invention controls power distribution fora variety of electric utility companies, market participant (MP) or anyother electric power grid operator(s) by actively monitoring the amountof power needed by each MP and supplying the required power byredirecting power from participating customers. In this embodiment,customers agree to allow the power management system to disable certainpower-consuming devices during peak loading times of the day. Smartbreakers, load control switches (submetering ALCs) or any other devicethat can be interfaced or added within an electric consuming device oradded at the point where the electric consuming devices receives powerfrom a wall socket or any other electrical connection which have theability to be switched on or off remotely, are installed for specificdevices in an electric service control panel accessed by a known IPaddress. Alternatively, IP-addressable smart appliances may be used. Thepower management system determines the amount of steady-state power eachdevice consumes when turned on and logs the information in a databasefor each subscriber. For example, a current sensor on each smartappliance or within each smart breaker or power measurement circuit thatis incorporated in the device that serves as a de-facto ALC withmetrology sufficient to be accepted as a PSV for aggregation to the ALDfor the creation of Operating Reserves may measure the amount of currentconsumed by each monitored device. An active load client then multipliesthe amount of current consumed by the operating voltage of the device toobtain the power consumption, and transmits the power consumption to theALD server. When the serving utility needs more power than it iscurrently able to supply, the power load management system automaticallyadjusts the power distribution by turning off or reducing specific loadson an individual device or subscriber basis. Because the amount of powerconsumed by each specific load is known via the PSV and aggregated viathe PBT, the system can determine precisely which loads to turn off orreduce and tracks the power savings generated by each customer as aresult of this short-term outage.

Furthermore, based upon the reduction in consumed power, the systems andmethods of the present invention provide for generating at the controlcenter a power supply value (PSV) corresponding to the reduction inconsumed power by the power consuming device(s). Importantly, the PSV isan actual value that includes measurement and verification of thereduction in consumed power; such measurement and verification methodsmay be determined by the appropriate governing body or authority for theelectric power grid(s). Power Supply Value (PSV) is calculated at themeter or submeter or at building control system or at any device orcontroller that measures power within the standard as supplied by theregulatory body(ies) that govern the regulation of the grid. PSVvariations may depend on operating tolerances, operating standard foraccuracy of the measurement. PSV further includes forecasting,statistical sampling, baselining, and combinations thereof. The PSVenables transformation of curtailment or reduction in power at thedevice level by any system that sends or receives an IP message to berelated to or equated to supply as presented to the governing entitythat accepts these values and award supply equivalence, for example of apower generating entity or an entity allowed to control power consumingdevices as permitted by the governing body of the electric power grid,e.g., FERC, NERC, etc.

PSV may be provided in units of capacity, demand, electrical power flow,time, monetary equivalent, energy and combinations thereof. Thus, thePSV provides an actual value that is confirmed by measurement and/orverification, thereby providing for a curtailment value as a requirementfor providing supply to the power grid, wherein the supply to the powerelectric power grid is provided for grid stability, voltage stability,reliability, and combinations thereof, and is further provided asresponsive to an energy management system or equivalent for providinggrid stability, reliability, frequency as determined by governingauthority for the electric power grid and/or grid operator(s).

The present invention can be more readily understood with reference tothe Figures. FIG. 13 provides a schematic diagram illustratingcomponents including ALD, ALC, and IP communications for distributedgrid intelligence within systems of the present invention.

Smart grid configurations are preferred under systems and methods of thepresent invention. By way of example, consider embodiments in FIGS.14-16, which provide schematic diagrams that illustrate smart grid withdecentralized networks according to systems and methods of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17A shows a schematic diagram for supply from utility, marketparticipant, CSP, and/or REP, ALD/cloud layer, ICCP, control anddispatch, and micro-grid enablement according to systems and methods ofthe present invention.

As set forth hereinabove, the present invention provides systems andmethods for generating operating reserves for an electric power grid.Correspondingly, FIG. 18 provides a graphic illustration of operatingreserves categories and base load; FIG. 19 is a schematic diagramrepresenting operating reserves for supply side generation of electricpower for a grid, ALD, ALC, power consuming devices, and othercomponents of the systems and methods of the present invention forgenerating operating reserves of different categories.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the presentinvention including power consuming devices, control devices, ALC, ALD,customer profile, IP communication network, and grid telemetrycomponents of systems and methods of the present invention.

FIG. 21A is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the presentinvention including EMS, power consuming devices, control devices, ALC,ALD, customer profile, IP communication network, and grid telemetrycomponents of systems and methods of the present invention. In anotherillustration, FIG. 21B shows a schematic diagram for one embodiment ofthe present invention including EMS, power consuming devices, controldevices, ALC, ALD, customer profile, IP communication network, and gridtelemetry components of systems and methods of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a table of consumer-adjustable parameters as examples forsystems and methods components according to the present invention. FIG.23 is a flow diagram illustrating method steps for energy-consumingdevices and the generation of power supply value (PSV) for thosedevices, according to embodiments of the present invention, includinglearning profile. Furthermore, FIG. 26 shows a flow diagram for methodsof the present invention for calculating the time period forenvironmentally dependent and independent devices and determining orgenerating power supply value (PSV) for those power-consuming devices.

By way of example, for temperature or environmental-factor controllingdevices as power consuming devices, FIG. 24 provides a graph showing atleast three (3) dimensions for factors associated with load consumptionand devices managing temperature control for corresponding powerconsuming devices, including the change in factors over time. FIG. 25 isa graph showing first, second, and additional standard deviations of forthe chart of drift versus time, for use with the systems and methods ofthe present invention. When the ALD is automatically considering loadcurtailment, preferably a search algorithm provides the most loadagainst the least amount of consumers impacted. Based upon the thermaldrift of structures, additional structures are identified and selected,to provide required curtailment for grid stability. Each structure hasits own factors, as illustrated in FIG. 24. Thus, the ALD selects andprovides instructions to the ALCs and/or power consuming devices basedupon profiles and attributes. Preferably, the system stores in memory onthe server computer associated with the database for storing informationrelating to the energy management system and its various componentsdescribed in the specification, identification of the last powerconsuming device(s) used for satisfying a load curtailment event, andautomatically shifts their categorization for the ALD for purposes ofselection for the next curtailment event.

Additionally, the following figures, in which like reference numeralsdesignate like items. FIG. 27 depicts an exemplary IP-based active powerload management system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. The exemplary power management system 10 monitors andmanages power distribution via an active load director (ALD) server 100connected between one or more utility control centers (UCCs) 200 (oneshown) and one or more active load clients (ALCs) 300 (one shown). TheALD server 100 may communicate with the utility control center 200 andeach active load client 300 either directly or through a network 80using the Internet Protocol (IP) or any other connection-basedprotocols. For example, the ALD server 100 may communicate using RFsystems operating via one or more base stations 90 (one shown) using oneor more wireless communication protocols, such as Global System forMobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), HighSpeed Packet Access (HSDPA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), orCode Division Multiple Access data standards, including CDMA 2000, CDMARevision A, and CDMA Revision B. Alternatively, or additionally, the ALDserver 100 may communicate via a digital subscriber line (DSL) capableconnection, cable television based IP capable connection, or anycombination thereof. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theALD server 100 communicates with one or more active load clients 300using a combination of traditional IP-based communication (e.g., over atrunked line) to a base station 90 and a wireless channel implementingthe WiMax protocol for the “last mile” from the base station 90 to theactive load client 300.

Each active load client 300 is accessible through a specified address(e.g., IP address) and controls and monitors the state of individualsmart breaker modules or intelligent appliances 60 installed in thebusiness or residence 20 to which the active load client 300 isassociated (e.g., connected or supporting). Each active load client 300is associated with a single residential or commercial customer. In oneembodiment, the active load client 300 communicates with a residentialload center 400 that contains smart breaker modules, which are able toswitch from an “ON” (active) state to an “OFF” (inactive), and viceversa, responsive to signaling from the active load client 300. Smartbreaker modules may include, for example, smart breaker panelsmanufactured by Schneider Electric SA under the trademark “Square D” orEaton Corporation under the trademark “Cutler-Hammer” for installationduring new construction. For retro-fitting existing buildings, smartbreakers having means for individual identification and control may beused. Typically, each smart breaker controls a single appliance and maybe embedded in circuits or individual appliances or appliance controlsor appliance control devices, whether internal to the device housing, orexternal thereto (e.g., a washer/dryer 30, a hot water heater 40, anHVAC unit 50, or a pool pump 70).

Additionally, the active load client 300 may control individual smartappliances directly (e.g., without communicating with the residentialload center 300) via one or more of a variety of known communicationprotocols (e.g., IP, Broadband over PowerLine (BPL) in its variousforms, including through specifications promulgated or being developedby the HOMEPLUG Powerline Alliance and the IEEE, Ethernet, Bluetooth,ZigBee, Wi-Fi, WiMax, etc.). Typically, a smart appliance 60 includes apower control module (not shown) having communication abilities. Thepower control module is installed in-line with the power supply to theappliance, between the actual appliance and the power source (e.g., thepower control module is plugged into a power outlet at the home orbusiness and the power cord for the appliance is plugged into the powercontrol module). Thus, when the power control module receives a commandto turn off the appliance 60, it disconnects the actual power supplyingthe appliance 60. Alternatively, a smart appliance 60 may include apower control module integrated directly into the appliance, which mayreceive commands and control the operation of the appliance directly(e.g., a smart thermostat may perform such functions as raising orlowering the set temperature, switching an HVAC unit on or off, orswitching a fan on or off).

Referring now to FIG. 28, the ALD server 100 may serve as the primaryinterface to customers, as well as to service personnel. In theexemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 28, the ALD server 100 includes autility control center (UCC) security interface 102, a UCC commandprocessor 104, a master event manager 106, an ALC manager 108, an ALCsecurity interface 110, an ALC interface 112, a web browser interface114, a customer sign-up application 116, customer personal settings 138,a customer reports application 118, a power savings application 120, anALC diagnostic manager 122, an ALD database 124, a service dispatchmanager 126, a trouble ticket generator 128, a call center manager 130,a carbon savings application 132, a utility P & C database 134, a readmeter application 136, and a security device manager 140.

Using the web browser interface 114, in one embodiment, customersinteract with the ALD server 100 and subscribe to some or all of theservices offered by the power load management system 10 via a customersign-up application 116. In accordance with the customer sign-upapplication 116, the customer specifies customer personal settings 138that contain information relating to the customer and the customer'sresidence or business, and defines the extent of service to which thecustomer wishes to subscribe. Additional details of the customer sign-upapplication 116 are discussed below. Customers may also use the webbrowser interface 114 to access and modify information pertaining totheir existing accounts or information pertaining to their loadconsuming devices (by way of example and not limitation, the informationincludes consumption, efficiency, and the like).

The ALD server 100 also includes a UCC security interface 102 whichprovides security and encryption between the ALD server 100 and autility company's control center 200 to ensure that no third party isable to provide unauthorized directions to the ALD server 100. A UCCcommand processor 104 receives and sends messages between the ALD server100 and the utility control center 200. Similarly, an ALC securityinterface 110 provides security and encryption between the ALD server100 and each active load client 300 on the system 10, ensuring that nothird parties can send directions to, or receive information from, theactive load client 300. The security techniques employed by the ALCsecurity interface 110 and the UCC security interface 102 may includeconventional symmetric key or asymmetric key algorithms, such asWireless Encryption Protocol (WEP), Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA andWPA2), Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), orproprietary encryption techniques or embodiments approved by thegoverning bodies pertaining to critical infrastructure protection (CIP).

In one embodiment, the commands that can be received by the UCC commandprocessor 104 from the electric utility's control center 200 include a“Cut” command, or reduce command, a “How Much” command, or PSV, PBTY,priority-based command, an “End Event” command, and a “Read Meters”command. The “Cut” command instructs the ALD server 100 to reduce aspecified amount of power for a specified amount of time. The specifiedamount of power may be an instantaneous amount of power or an averageamount of power consumed per unit of time. The “Cut” command may alsooptionally indicate general geographic areas or specific locations forpower load reduction. The “How Much” command requests information forthe amount of power (e.g., in megawatts, and/or PSV by PTB) that can bereduced by the requesting utility control center 200. The “End Event”command stops the present ALD server 100 transaction. The “Read Meters”command instructs the ALD server 100 to read the meters for allcustomers serviced by the requesting utility.

The UCC command processor 104 may send a response to a “How Much”command or an “Event Ended” status confirmation to a utility controlcenter 200. A response to a “How Much” command returns an amount ofpower, particularly relating to PSV and/or PTB, that can be cut orreduced. An “Event Ended” acknowledgement message confirms that thepresent ALD server transaction has ended.

The master event manager 106 maintains the overall status of the powerload activities controlled by the power management system 10. The masterevent manager 106 maintains a separate state for each utility that iscontrolled and tracks the current power usage within each utility. Themaster event manager 106 also tracks the management condition of eachutility (e.g., whether or not each utility is currently being managed).The master event manager 106 receives instructions in the form oftransaction requests from the UCC command processor 104 and routesinstructions to components necessary to complete the requestedtransaction, such as the ALC manager 108 and the power savingsapplication 120.

The ALC manager 108 routes instructions between the ALD server 100 andeach active load client 300 within the system 10 through an ALCinterface 112. For instance, the ALC manager 108 tracks the state ofevery active load client 300 serviced by specified utilities, gridoperators and/or market participants, by communicating with the activeload client 300 through an individual IP address. The ALC interface 112translates instructions (e.g., transactions) received from the ALCmanager 108 into the proper message structure understood by the targetedactive load client 300 and then sends the message to the active loadclient 300. Likewise, when the ALC interface 112 receives messages froman active load client 300, it translates the message into a formunderstood by the ALC manager 108 and routes the translated message tothe ALC manager 108.

The ALC manager 108 receives from each active load client 300 that itservices, either periodically or responsive to polling messages sent bythe ALC manager 108, messages containing the present power consumption,PSV, PTB, and combinations thereof, and the status (e.g., “ON” or “OFF”or state) of each device controlled by the active load client 300.Alternatively, if individual device metering is not available, then thetotal power consumption via PSV, and load management status for theentire active load client 300 may be reported. The information containedin each status message is stored in the ALD database 124 in a recordassociated with the specified active load client 300. The ALD database124 contains all the information necessary to manage every customeraccount and power distribution. In one embodiment, the ALD database 124contains customer contact information, such as names, addresses, phonenumbers, email addresses, and associated utility or market participantcompanies for all customers having active load clients 300 installed attheir residences or businesses, as well as a description of specificoperating instructions for each managed device (e.g., IP-addressablesmart breaker, load control ALC, or appliance), device status, anddevice diagnostic history.

There are several types of messages that the ALC manager 108 may receivefrom an active load client 300 and process accordingly. One such messageis a security alert message. A security alert message originates from anoptional security or safety monitoring system installed in the residenceor business and coupled to the active load client 300 (e.g., wirelesslyor via a wired connection). When a security alert message is received,the ALC manager 108 accesses the ALD database 124 to obtain routinginformation for determining where to send the alert, and then sends thealert as directed. For example, the ALD manager 108 may be programmed tosend the alert or another message (e.g., an electronic mail message or apre-recorded voice message) to a security monitoring service companyand/or the owner of the residence or business.

Another message communicated between an active load client 300 and theALC manager 108 is a report trigger message. A report trigger messagealerts the ALD server 100 that a predetermined amount of power, PSV,PTB, and combinations thereof has been consumed by a specific devicemonitored by an active load client 300. When a report trigger message isreceived from an active load client 300, the ALC manager 108 logs theinformation contained in the message in the ALD database 124 for thecustomer associated with the information-supplying active load client300. The power consumption information, including PSV, PTB, andcombinations thereof, is then used by the ALC manager 108 to determinethe active load client(s) 300 to which to send a power reduction or“Cut” or reduce message during a power reduction event to satisfy theoperating reserve requirement.

Yet another message exchanged between an active load client 300 and theALC manager 108 is a status response message. A status response messagereports the type and status of each device controlled by the active loadclient 300 to the ALD server 100. When a status response message isreceived from an active load client 300, the ALC manager 108 logs theinformation contained in the message in the ALD database 124.

In one embodiment, upon receiving instructions (e.g., a “Cut” or reduceinstruction) from the master event manager 106 to reduce powerconsumption for a specified utility, the ALC manager 108 determineswhich active load clients 300 and/or individually controlled devices toswitch to the “OFF” or reduced state based upon present powerconsumption data stored in the ALD database 124, and in combination withcustomer interface. The ALC manager 108 then sends a message to eachselected active load client 300 containing instructions to turn off orreduce all or some of the devices under the active load client's (ALC's)control.

In another embodiment, a power savings application 120 may be optionallyincluded to calculate the total amount of power saved by each utility ormarket participant during a power reduction event (referred to herein asa “Cut event” or “reduce event”), as well as the amount of power saved,PSV, PTB, and combinations for each customer whose active load client300 reduced the amount of power delivered, PSV, PTB, and combinationsthereof, and matched against a baseline stored at either the ALC and/orALD. The power savings application 120 accesses the data stored in theALD database 124 for each customer serviced by a particular utility andstores the total cumulative power savings, or PSV (e.g., in megawattsper hour, or kWH/MWH) accumulated by each utility for each Cut or reduceevent, i.e., curtailment or load control event, in which the utilityparticipated as an entry in the utility Power and Carbon (“P&C”)database 134.

In a further embodiment, an optional carbon savings application 132 usesthe information produced by the power savings application 120, includingPSV, PTB, and combinations, to determine the amount of carbon saved byeach utility and by each customer for every Cut or reduce event. Carbonsavings information (e.g., type of fuel that was used to generate powerfor the customer set that was included in the just completed event,power, PSV, PTB, and/or combinations saved in the prior event,governmental standard calculation rates, and/or other data, such asgeneration mix per serving utility and geography of the customer'slocation and the location of the nearest power source) is stored in theALD database 124 for each active load client 300 (customer) and in theutility P&C database 134 for each utility. The carbon savingsapplication 132 calculates the total equivalent carbon credits saved foreach active load client 300 (customer) and utility participating in theprevious Cut or reduce event, and stores the information in the ALDdatabase 124 and the utility P&C database 134, respectively.

Additionally, the ALC manager 108 automatically provides for smoothoperation of the entire power load management system 10 by optionallyinteracting with a service dispatch manager 126. For example, when a newcustomer subscribes to participate in the power load management system10, the service dispatch manager 126 is notified of the new subscriptionfrom the customer sign-up application 116. The service dispatch manager126 then sends an activation request to the ALC manager 108. Uponreceiving the activation request from the service dispatch manager 126,the ALC manager 108 may sends a query request for information to the newactive load client 300 and, upon receipt of the information, provides itto the service dispatch manager 126. Additionally, if at any time theALC manager 108 detects that a particular active load client 300 is notfunctioning properly, the ALC manager 108 may send a request for serviceto the service dispatch manager 126 to arrange for a service call tocorrect the problem. The ALCs and/or load consuming devices mayautomatically discover and/or join a network of ALC devices,automatically add customer profile(s).

In another embodiment, the service dispatch manager 126 may also receiverequests for service from a call center manager 130 that providessupport to an operations center (not shown), which receives telephonecalls from customers of the power load management system 10. When acustomer calls the operations center to request service, the call centermanager 130 logs the service call in the ALD database 124 and sends a“Service” transaction message to the service dispatch manager 126. Whenthe service call has been completed, the call center manager 130receives a completed notification from the service dispatch manager 126and records the original service call as “closed” in the ALD database124.

In yet another embodiment, the service dispatch manager 126 may alsoinstruct an ALC diagnostic manager 122 to perform a series of diagnostictests for any active load client 300 for which the service dispatchmanager 126 has received a service request. After the ALC diagnosticmanager 122 has performed the diagnostic procedure, it returns theresults to the service dispatch manager 126. The service dispatchmanager 126 then invokes a trouble ticket generator 128 to produce areport (e.g., trouble ticket) that includes information (some of whichwas retrieved by the service dispatch manager 126 from the ALD database124) pertaining to the required service (e.g., customer name, address,any special consideration for accessing the necessary equipment, and theresults of the diagnostic process). A residential customer servicetechnician may then use the information provided in the trouble ticketto select the type of equipment and replacement parts necessary forperforming a service call.

A read meter application 136 may be optionally invoked when the UCCcommand processor 104 receives a “Read Meters” or equivalent commandfrom the utility control center 200. The read meter application 136cycles through the ALD database 124 and sends a read meter message orcommand to each active load client 300, or those active load clients 300specifically identified in the UCC's command, via the ALC manager 108.The information received by the ALC manager 108 from the active loadclient 300 is logged in the ALD database 124 for each customer. When allthe active load client meter information has been received, theinformation is sent to the requesting utility control center 200 using abusiness to business (e.g., ebXML) or other desired protocol, or otherprotocols established by ANSI or governing body related to the grid.

The optional security device management block 140 includes programinstructions for handling security system messages received by thesecurity interface 110. The security device management block 140includes routing information for all security system messages and mayfurther include messaging options on a per customer or service companybasis. For example, one security service may require an email alert fromthe ALD server 100 upon the occurrence of a security event; whereas,another security service may require that the message sent from thein-building system be passed on by the active load client 300 and theALD server 100 directly to the security service company.

In a further embodiment, the ALD server 100 also includes a customerreports application 118 that generates reports to be sent to individualcustomers detailing the amount of power saved, PSV, PTB, and/orcombinations, including against a baseline, during a previous billingcycle. Each report may contain a cumulative total of power savings overthe prior billing cycle, details of the amount of power saved percontrolled device (e.g., breaker or appliance), power savings fromutility directed events, power savings from customer directed events,devices being managed, total carbon equivalents used and saved duringthe period, and/or specific details for each Cut or curtailment orreduce event in which the customer's active load client 300participated. Customers may also receive incentives and awards forparticipation in the power load management system 10 through a customerrewards program 150. For example, the utilities or a third party systemoperator may enter into agreements with product and/or service providersto offer system participants discounts on products and services offeredby the providers based upon certain participation levels or milestones.The rewards program 150 may be setup in a manner similar to conventionalfrequent flyer programs in which points are accumulated for power saved(e.g., one point for each megawatt saved or deferred) and, uponaccumulation of predetermined levels of points, the customer can selecta product or service discount. Alternatively, a serving utility mayoffer a customer a rate discount for participating in the system 10.

FIG. 29 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary active loadclient 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The depicted active load client 300 includes a Linux-based operatingsystem 302, a status response generator 304, a smart breaker modulecontroller 306, a smart device interface 324, a communications interface308, a security interface 310, an IP-based communication converter 312,a device control manager 314, a smart breaker (B1-BN) counter manager316, a report trigger application 318, an IP router 320, a smart meterinterface 322, a security device interface 328, and an IP deviceinterface 330. The active load client 300, in this embodiment, is acomputer or processor-based system located on-site at a customer'sresidence or business. The primary function of the active load client300 is to manage the power load levels of controllable devices locatedat the residence or business, which the active load client 300 overseeson behalf of the customer. In an exemplary embodiment, the softwarerunning on the active load client 300 operates using the Linux embeddedoperating system 302 to manage the hardware and the general softwareenvironment. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that otheroperating systems, such as Microsoft's family of operating systems, MacOS, and Sun OS, C++, machine language, among others, may bealternatively used. Additionally, the active load client 300 may includeDHCP client functionality to enable the active load client 300 todynamically request IP addresses for itself and/or one or morecontrollable devices 402-412, 420, 460 managed thereby from a DHCPserver on the host IP network facilitating communications between theactive load client 300 and the ALD server 100. The active load client300 may further include router functionality and maintain a routingtable of assigned IP addresses in a memory of the active load client 300to facilitate delivery of messages from the active load client 300 tothe controllable devices 402-412, 420, 460.

A communications interface 308 facilitates connectivity between theactive load client 300 and the ALD server 100. Communication between theactive load client 300 and the ALD server 100 may be based on any typeof IP or other connection protocol, including but not limited to, theWiMax protocol, and equivalents or alternatives, as discussed in theforegoing. Thus, the communications interface 308 may be a wired orwireless modem, a wireless access point, or other appropriate interface.

A standard IP Layer-3 router 320 routes messages received by thecommunications interface 308 to both the active load client 300 and toany other locally connected device 440. The router 320 determines if areceived message is directed to the active load client 300 and, if so,passes the message to a security interface 310 to be decrypted. Thesecurity interface 310 provides protection for the contents of themessages exchanged between the ALD server 100 and the active load client300. The message content is encrypted and decrypted by the securityinterface 310 using, for example, a symmetric encryption key composed ofa combination of the IP address and GPS data for the active load client300 or any other combination of known information. If the message is notdirected to the active load client 300, then it is passed to the IPdevice interface 330 for delivery to one or more locally connecteddevices 440. For example, the IP router 320 may be programmed to routepower load management system messages as well as conventional Internetmessages. In such a case, the active load client 300 may function as agateway for Internet service supplied to the residence or businessinstead of using separate Internet gateways or routers.

An IP based communication converter 312 opens incoming messages from theALD server 100 and directs them to the appropriate function within theactive load client 300. The converter 312 also receives messages fromvarious active load client 300 functions (e.g., a device control manager314, a status response generator 304, and a report trigger application318), packages the messages in the form expected by the ALD server 100,and then passes them on to the security interface 310 for encryption.

The device control manager 314 processes power management commandsand/or command messages for various controllable devices logicallyconnected to the active load client 300. The devices can be either smartbreakers, smart meters, load control appliances, building controlsystems, and the like, 402-412 or other IP based devices 420, such assmart appliances with individual control modules (not shown). The devicecontrol manager 314 also processes “Query Request” or equivalentcommands or messages from the ALD server 100 by querying a statusresponse generator 304 which maintains the type and status of eachdevice controlled by the active load client 300, and providing thestatuses to the ALD server 100. The “Query Request” message may includeinformation other than mere status requests, such as temperature setpoints for thermally controlled devices, time intervals during whichload control is permitted or prohibited, dates during which load controlis permitted or prohibited, and priorities of device control (e.g.,during a power reduction event, hot water heater and pool pump areturned off before HVAC unit is turned off), PSV, PTB, and/orcombinations thereof. If temperature set points or other non-statusinformation are included in a “Query Request” message and there is adevice attached to the active load client 300 that can process theinformation, the temperature set points or other information are sent tothat device 420 via a smart device interface 324.

The status response generator 304 receives status messages from the ALDserver 100 and, responsive thereto, polls each controllable device402-412, 420, 460 under the active load client's control to determinewhether the controllable device 402-412, 420, 460 is active and in goodoperational order. Each controllable device 402-412, 420, 460 respondsto the polls with operational information (e.g., activity status and/orerror reports) in a status response message. The active load client 300stores the status responses in a memory associated with the statusresponse generator 304 for reference in connection with power reductionevents.

The smart device interface 324 facilitates IP or other address-basedcommunications to individual devices 420 (e.g., smart appliance powercontrol modules) that are attached to the active load client 300. Theconnectivity can be through one of several different types of networks,including but not limited to, BPL, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or directEthernet communications. Thus, the smart device interface 324 is a modemadapted for use in or on the network connecting the smart devices 420 tothe active load client 300. The smart device interface 324 also allowsthe device control manager 314 to manage those devices that have thecapability to sense temperature settings and respond to temperaturevariations.

The smart breakers, smart meters, load control appliances, buildingcontrol systems, and the like, module controller 306 formats, sends, andreceives messages, including power control, PSV, PTB, and/orcombinations thereof, instructions, to and from the smart breaker module400. In one embodiment, the communications is preferably through a BPLconnection. In such embodiment, the smart breaker module controller 306includes a BPL modem and operations software. The smart breaker module400 contains individual smart breakers, smart meters, load controlappliances, building control systems, and the like, 402-412, whereineach smart breaker 402-412 includes an applicable modem (e.g., a BPLmodem when BPL is the networking technology employed) and is preferablyin-line with power supplied to a single appliance or other device. TheB1-BN counter manager 316 determines and stores real time power usagefor each installed smart breaker 402-412. For example, the countermanager 316 tracks or counts the amount of power or PSV, PTB, and/orcombinations used by each smart breaker 402-412 and stores the countedamounts of power in a memory of the active load client 300 associatedwith the counter manager 316. When the counter for any breaker 402-412reaches a predetermined limit, the counter manager 316 provides anidentification number corresponding to the smart breaker 402-412 and thecorresponding amount of power (power number), PSV, PTB, and combinationsthereof, to the report trigger application 318. Once the information ispassed to the report trigger application 318, the counter manager 316resets the counter for the applicable breaker 402-412 to zero so thatinformation can once again be collected. The report trigger application318 then creates a reporting message containing identificationinformation for the active load client 300, identification informationfor the particular smart breaker 402-412, and the power number, andsends the report to the IP based communication converter 312 fortransmission to the ALD server 100.

The smart meter interface 322 manages either smart meters 460 thatcommunicate using the communications methods or a current sensor 452connected to a traditional power meter 450. When the active load client300 receives a “Read Meters” command or message from the ALD server 100and a smart meter 460 is attached to the active load client 300, a “ReadMeters” command is sent to the meter 460 via the smart meter interface322 (e.g., a BPL modem). The smart meter interface 322 receives a replyto the “Read Meters” message from the smart meter 460, formats thisinformation along with identification information for the active loadclient 300, and provides the formatted message to the IP basedcommunication converter 312 for transmission to the ALD server 100.

A security device interface 328 transfers security messages to and fromany attached security device. For example, the security device interface328 may be coupled by wire or wirelessly to a monitoring or securitysystem that includes motion sensors, mechanical sensors, opticalsensors, electrical sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors,and/or other safety and security monitoring devices. When the monitoringsystem detects a security or safety problem (e.g., break-in, fire,excessive carbon monoxide levels), the monitoring system sends its alarmsignal to the security interface 328, which in turn forwards the alarmsignal to the IP network through the ALD server 100 for delivery to thetarget IP address (e.g., the security monitoring service provider). Thesecurity device interface 328 may also be capable of communicating withthe attached security device through the IP device interface torecognize a notification message from the device that it has lost itsline based telephone connection. Once that notification has beenreceived, an alert message is formatted and sent to the ALD server 100through the IP based communication converter 312.

Operation of the power management system 10 in accordance with exemplaryembodiments will now be described. In one embodiment, customersinitially sign up for power load management services using a webbrowser, or any web-enabled device. Using the web browser, the customeraccesses a power management system provider's website through the webbrowser interface 114 and provides his or her name and addressinformation, as well as the type of equipment he or she would like tohave controlled by the power load management system and/or ALD 10 tosave energy at peak load times and to accumulate power savings or carboncredits (which may be used to receive reward incentives based upon thetotal amount of power, PSV, or carbon saved by the customer). Thecustomer may also agree to allow management of power consumption viaPTBs during non-peak times to sell back excess power to the utility,while simultaneously accumulating power savings or carbon credits.

The customer sign up application 116 creates a database entry for eachcustomer in the ALD database 124. Each customer's contact informationand load management preferences are stored or logged in the database124. For example, the customer may be given several simple options formanaging any number of devices or class of devices, including parametersfor managing the devices (e.g., how long each type of device may beswitched off, reduced, and/or define hours when the devices may not beswitched off at all) in a building control system a plurality of optionsexists. In particular, the customer may also be able to provide specificparameters for HVAC operations (e.g., set control points for the HVACsystem specifying both the low and high temperature ranges).Additionally, the customer may be given an option of receiving anotification (e.g., an email message, Instant Message, Text Message, orrecorded phone call, or any combination thereof) when a power managementevent occurs. When the customer completes entering data, a “New Service”or equivalent transaction message or command is sent to the servicedispatch manager 126.

Referring now again to FIG. 28 an exemplary operational flow diagram isillustrated providing steps executed by the ALD server 100 (e.g., aspart of the service dispatch manager 126) to manage service requests inthe exemplary power load management system 10, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention. The steps of FIG. 28 are preferablyimplemented as a set of computer instructions (software) stored in amemory (not shown) of the ALD server 100 and executed by one or moreprocessors (not shown) of the ALD server 100. Pursuant to the logicflow, the service dispatch manager 126 receives a transaction message orcommand and determines the type of transaction. Upon receiving a “NewService” transaction message, the service dispatch manager 126 schedulesa service person (e.g., technician) to make an initial installationvisit to the new customer. The service dispatch manager 126 thennotifies the scheduled service person, or dispatcher of servicepersonnel, of an awaiting service call using, for example, email, textmessaging, and/or instant messaging notifications. Alternatively, atechnician can use a “joining” device such as a PC, computer, tabletcomputer, smartphone, etc.

In one embodiment, responsive to the service call notification, theservice person obtains the new customer's name and address, adescription of the desired service, and a service time from a servicedispatch manager service log. The service person obtains an active loadclient 300, all necessary smart breaker modules 402-412, and allnecessary smart switches and/or ALCs to install at the customerlocation. The service person notes any missing information from thecustomer's database information (e.g., the devices being controlled,type make and model of each device, and any other information the systemwill need to function correctly). The service person installs the activeload client 300 and smart breakers 402-412 at the new customer'slocation. A global positioning satellite (GPS) device may optionally beused by the service person to determine an accurate geographic locationof the new customer building, which will be added to the customer'sentry in the ALD database 124 and may be used to create a symmetricencryption key to facilitate secure communications between the ALDserver 100 and the active load client 300. The physical location of theinstalled active load client 300 is also entered into the customer'sentry. Smart switch devices may be installed by the service person orleft at the customer location for installation by the customer. Afterthe active load client 300 has been installed, the service dispatchmanager 126 receives a report from the service person, via a servicelog, indicating that the installation is complete. The service dispatchmanager 126 then sends an “Update” or equivalent transaction message tothe ALC manager 108.

When a “Service” or similar transaction message or command is received,the service dispatch manager 126 schedules (512) a service person tomake a service call to the specified customer. The service dispatchmanager 126 then sends a “Diagnose” or similar transaction to the ALCdiagnostic manager 122. The ALC diagnostic manager 122 returns theresults of the diagnostic procedure to the service dispatch manager 126,which then notifies the service person of the service call and provideshim or her with the results of the diagnostic procedure using aconventional trouble ticket. The service person uses the diagnosticprocedure results in the trouble ticket to select the type of equipmentand replacement parts necessary for the service call including a “join”,“rejoin”, or “network” command to form an ALC-enabled load controlnetwork.

Preferably, the systems and methods of the present invention provide forautomated remote updating of ALCs, including but not limited tosoftware, firmware, chipsets, kernels, and combinations thereof.Updating through the ALD(s) and/or central server, and/or dedicatedserver for updating ALCs is provided by the present invention. Also,commands are sent for purposes for updating PSV, PTB by a central and/orremote device or server, or processor, meant to enhance for update PSV,PTB, or location of PTB server point ASIC within an IP message orproprietary message that deal with table spaces, pricing, changes inacceptable time increments, status messages, location of market (LMP,node, electrical bus, etc.) for the load for marketing, aggregated,settled, and combinations thereof. The updating is for purposes of PSV,PTB, or ability to know the health and/or status of any zone within theelectric power grid. Thus, the systems and methods of the presentinvention provide for automatic updating by remote server or dedicateddevice(s), through ALD(s) and/or directly to ALC(s) that affect anyaspect of updating of ALCs relating to software, firmware, rules,metrology, ASICs, chipsets, machine code, operating systems, andcombinations thereof. Furthermore, ALCs may be updated for improved orincreased accuracy of ALCs to qualify PSV and PTB associated therewith.Also, the present invention provides for ALCs with smartcross-communication that provide for at least one ALC to transmitcommands to at least one other ALC within the network associated withthe electric power grid.

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary operational flow diagram 600 providingsteps executed by the ALD server 100 (e.g., as part of the ALC manager108) to confirm customer sign-up to the power load management system 10,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The steps ofFIG. 5 are preferably implemented as a set of computer instructions(software) stored in a memory (not shown) of the ALD server 100 andexecuted by one or more processors (not shown) of the ALD server 100. Inaccordance with the logic flow, the ALC manager 108 receives (602) an“Update” or similar transaction message or command from the servicedispatch manager 126 and uses the IP address specified in the “Update”message to send (604) out a “Query Request” or similar message orcommand to the active load client 300. The “Query Request” messageincludes a list of devices the ALD server 100 expects to be managed. Ifthe customer information input at customer sign-up includes temperatureset points for one or more load-controllable devices, that informationis included in the “Query Request” message. Updating software, firmware,or any code embodiment via communication network via IP messages afterthe ALC are installed via the ALD or other operationsprocessor/database. The ALC manager 108 receives (606) a query replycontaining information about the active load client 300 (e.g., currentIP network, operational state (e.g., functioning or not), setting of allthe counters for measuring current usage (e.g., all are set to zero atinitial set up time), status of devices being controlled (e.g., eitherswitched to the “on” state or “off” state)). The ALC manager 108 updates(608) the ALD database 124 with the latest status information obtainedfrom the active load client 300. If the ALC manager 108 detects (610),from the query reply, that the active load client 300 is functioningproperly, it sets (612) the customer state to “active” to allowparticipation in ALD server activities. However, if the ALC manager 108detects (610) that the active load client 300 is not functioningproperly, it sends (614) a “Service” or similar transaction message orcommand to the service dispatch manager 126.

Referring now again to previously described FIG. 1C, an exemplaryoperational flow diagram 700 is illustrated providing steps executed bythe ALD server 100 (e.g., as part of the master event manager 106) tomanage events in the exemplary power load management system 10, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The steps ofFIG. 6 are preferably implemented as a set of computer instructions(software) stored in a memory (not shown) of the ALD server 100 andexecuted by one or more processors (not shown) of the ALD server 100.Pursuant to the logic flow, the master event manager 106 tracks (702)current power usage and/or PSV within each utility being managed by theALD server 100. When the master event manager 106 receives (704) atransaction message or command from the UCC command processor 104 or theALC manager 108, the master event manager 106 determines (706) the typeof transaction received. Upon receiving a “Cut” or “reduce” transactionfrom the UCC command processor 104 (resulting from a “Cut” or “reduce”command issued by the utility control center 200), the master eventmanager 106 places (708) the utility in a managed logical state. Themaster event manager then sends (710) a “Cut” or “reduce” transaction orevent message or command to the ALC manager 108 identifying the amountof power and/or PSV and/or PTB (e.g., in megawatts) that must be removedfrom the power system supplied by the utility. The amount of powerspecified for reduction in a “Cut” or “reduce” command may be aninstantaneous amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB or an average amountof power and/or PSV and/or PTB per unit time. Finally, the master eventmanager 106 notifies (711) every customer that has chosen to receive anotification (e.g., through transmission of an email or otherpre-established notification technique) that a power management event isin process.

Returning to block 706, when the master event manager 106 receives a“How Much” or other equivalent power inquiry transaction message orcommand from the UCC command processor 104 (resulting from a “How Much”and/or PSV and/or PTB or equivalent power inquiry command issued by theutility control center 200), the master event manager 106 determines(712) the amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB that may be temporarilyremoved from a particular utility's managed system by accessing thecurrent usage information for that utility. The current usageinformation is derived, in one embodiment, by aggregating the totalavailable load for the serving utility, as determined from the customerusage information for the utility stored in the ALD database 124, basedon the total amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB that may have to besupplied to the utility's customers in view of the statuses of each ofthe active load clients 300 and their respectively controllable loaddevices 402-412, 420, 460 during the load control interval identified inthe “How Much” and/or PSV and/or PTB message.

Each utility may indicate a maximum amount of power or maximumpercentage of power to be reduced during any power reduction event. Suchmaximums or limits may be stored in the utility P&C database 134 of theALD server 100 and downloaded to the master event manager 106. In oneembodiment, the master event manager 106 is programmed to remove adefault one percent (1%) of the utility's current power consumptionduring any particular power management period (e.g., one hour). Inalternative embodiments, the master event manager 106 may be programmedto remove other fixed percentages of current power consumption orvarying percentages of current power consumption based on the currentpower consumption (e.g., 1% when power consumption is at system maximumand 10% when power consumption is at only 50% of system maximum). Basedon the amount of power to be removed, the master event manager 106 sends(710) a “Cut” or equivalent event message to the ALC manager 108indicating the amount of power (e.g., in megawatts) that must be removedfrom the utility's power system (e.g., 1% of the current usage), andnotifies (711) all customers that have chosen to receive a notificationthat a power management event is in process. The master event manager106 also sends a response to the utility control center 200 via the UCCcommand processor 104 advising the utility control center 200 as to thequantity of power that can be temporarily reduced by the requestingutility.

Returning once again to block 706, when the master event manager 106receives an “End Event” or equivalent transaction message or commandfrom the UCC command processor 104 (resulting from an “End Event”command issued by the utility control center 200), the master eventmanager 106 sets (714) the state of the current event as “Pending” andsends (716) an “End Event” or equivalent transaction message or commandto the ALC manager 108. When the ALC manager 108 has performed the stepsnecessary to end the present event (e.g., a power reduction or Cutevent), the master event manager 106 receives (718) an “Event Ended” orequivalent transaction from the ALC manager 108 and sets (720) theutility to a logical “Not Managed” state. The master event manager 106then notifies (722) each customer that has chosen to receive anotification (e.g., through transmission of an email or otherpre-established notification mechanism) that the power management eventhas ended. Finally, the master event manager 106 sends an “Event Ended”or equivalent transaction message or command to the power savingsapplication 120 and the utility control center 200 (via the UCC commandprocessor 104).

Turning now again to FIG. 1D, also previously described, exemplaryoperational flow diagram 800 illustrates steps executed by the ALDserver 100 (e.g., as part of the ALC manager 108) to manage powerconsumption in the exemplary power load management system 10, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The steps ofFIG. 1D are preferably implemented as a set of computer instructions(software) stored in a memory of the ALD server 100 and executed by oneor more processors of the ALD server 100. In accordance with the logicflow, the ALC manager 108 tracks (802) the state of each managed activeload client 300 by receiving messages, periodically or responsive topolls issued by the ALC manager 108, from every active load client 300that the ALC manager 108 manages. These messages indicate the presentstates of the active load clients 300. The state includes the presentconsumption of power for each controllable device 402-412, 420controlled by the active load client 300 (or the total power consumptionfor all controllable devices 402-412, 420 controlled by the active loadclient 300 if individual device metering is not available) and thestatus of each device 402-412, 420 (e.g., either “Off” or “On” or“Reduce”). The ALC manager 108 stores or logs (804) the powerconsumption and/or PSV and/or PTB and device status information in theALD database 124 in a record corresponding to the specified active loadclient 300 and its associated customer and serving utility. Note thatthere may be distributed throughout the grid a multiplicity of ALCs andALDs that are networked and responsive to the grid operator, EMS,utility, market participant, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, ALCsaggregate corresponding PSVs and/or PTBs, preferably at the electricalbus level, LMP, RTO, BA, etc. at appropriate PTBs for settlementpurposes and other EMS requirements.

When the ALC manager 108 receives (806) a transaction message from themaster event manager 106, the ALC manager 108 first determines (808) thetype of transaction received. If the ALC manager 108 receives a “Cut” orequivalent transaction message or command from the master event manager106, the ALC manager 108 enters (810) a “Manage” logical state. The ALCmanager 108 then determines (812) which active load clients 300 andassociated devices 402-412, 420 operating on the utility specified inthe “Cut” message to switch to the “Off” state (or reduce). If alocation (e.g., list of GPS coordinates, a GPS coordinate range, ageographic area, or a power grid reference area) is included in the“Cut” or reduce transaction message, only those active load clients 300within the specified location are selected for switching to the “Off” orreduce state. In other words, the ALC manager 108 selects the group ofactive load client devices 300 to which the issue a “Turn Off” or reducetransaction message based at least partially on the geographic locationof each active load client 300 as such location relates to any locationidentified in the received “Cut” or reduce transaction message. The ALDdatabase 124 contains information on the present power consumption(and/or the average power consumption and/or PSV and/or PTB) for eachcontrollable device 402-412, 420 connected to each active load client300 in the system 10. The ALC manager 108 utilizes the stored powerconsumption information and/or PSV and/or PTB to determine how many, andto select which, devices 402-412, 420 to turn off to achieve the powerreduction required by the “Cut” message. The ALC manager 108 then sends(814) a “Turn Off” or equivalent transaction message or command to eachactive load client 300, along with a list of the devices to be turnedoff and a “change state to off or reduce” indication for each device402-412, 420 in the list. The ALC manager 108 then logs (816) the amountof power (either actual or average), as determined from the ALD database124, saved for each active load client 300, along with a time stampindicating when the power was reduced and/or target PSV and/or PTB wasachieved. The ALC manager 108 then schedules (818) transactions foritself to “Turn On” each turned-off device after a predetermined periodof time, including customer profile, or “drift” (e.g., which may havebeen set from a utility specified default, set by instructions from thecustomer, or otherwise programmed into the ALC manager 108).

Returning back to block 808, when the ALC manager 108 receives a “TurnOn” or equivalent transaction message or command from the master eventmanager 106 for a specified active load client 300, and the ALCmanager's state is currently in a “Manage” state, the ALC manager 108finds (820) one or more active load clients 300 that are in the “On”state and do not have any of their managed devices 402-412, 420 turnedoff (and are in the specified location if so required by the original“Cut” or reduce transaction message), which, when one or more of suchdevices 402-412, 420 are turned off or reduced, will save the same orsubstantially the same amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB that ispresently being saved by the specified active load clients that are inthe “Off” or reduce state. Upon identifying new active load clients 300from which to save power, the ALC manager 108 sends (822) a “Turn Off”or reduce or equivalent transaction message or command to each activeload client 300 that must be turned off or power thereto reduced inorder to save the same amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB, as theactive load client(s) (ALCs) to be turned on (i.e., to have its or theirmanaged devices 402-412, 420 turned on) or to save an otherwiseacceptable amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB (e.g., a portion of thepower previously saved by the active load client(s) to be turned backon). The ALC manager 108 also sends (824) a “Turn On” or equivalenttransaction message or command to each active load client 300 to beturned back on. The “Turn On” message instructs all active load clients300 to which the message was directed to turn on any controllabledevices that have been turned off, and causes the affected active loadclients 300 to instruct their controllable devices 402-412, 420 toenable the flow of electric power to their associated power consumingdevices (e.g., appliance, HVAC unit, and so forth). Finally, the ALCmanager 108 logs (826) the time that the “Turn On” transaction messageis sent in the ALD database 124.

Returning once again to block 808, when the ALC manager 108 receives an“End Event” or equivalent transaction message or command from the masterevent manager 106, the ALC manager 108 sends (828) a “Turn On” orequivalent transaction message or command to every active load client300 which is currently in the “Off” or reduce state and is served by theserving utility identified in the “End Event” message or to which the“End Event” message relates. Upon determining (830) that all theappropriate active load clients 300 have transitioned to the “On” state,the ALC manager 108 sends (832) an “Event Ended” or equivalenttransaction message or command to the master event manager 106.

An exemplary operational flow of steps executed by the ALD server 100(e.g., through operation of the power savings application 120) tocalculate and allocate power savings in the power load management system10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention isfurther described herein. The power savings application 120 calculatesthe total amount of power saved by each utility for each Cut or reduceevent and the amount of power saved by each customer possessing anactive load client (ALC) 300, against a baseline.

According to the logic flow of FIG. 26, the power savings application120 receives (902) an “Event Ended” or equivalent transaction message orcommand from the master event manager 106 each time a “Cut” or reduce orpower savings event has ended. The power savings application 120 thenaccesses (904) the ALD database 124 for each active load client 300involved in the “Cut” or reduce event. The database record for eachactive load client 300 contains the actual amount (or average amount) ofpower and/or PSV and/or PTB that would have been used by the active loadclient 300 during the last “Cut” or reduce event, along with the amountof time that each controllable device 402-412, 420 associated with theactive load client 300 was turned off. The power savings application 120uses this information to calculate the amount of power (e.g., inmegawatts per hour) that was saved for each active load client 300. Thetotal power savings and/or PSV and/or PTB for each active load client300 is stored in its corresponding entry in the ALD database 124. Arunning total of power saved is kept for each “Cut” or reducetransaction. Each utility that is served by the ALD server 100 has anentry in the utility P&C database 134. The power savings application 120stores (906) the total amount of power and/or PSV and/or PTB (e.g., inmegawatts per hour) saved for the specific utility in the utility'scorresponding entry in the utility or market participant P&C database134, along with other information related to the power savings event(e.g., the time duration of the event, the number of active load clients(ALCs) required to reach the power savings and/or PSV and/or PTB,average length of time each device was in the off state, plus any otherinformation that would be useful in fine tuning future events and inimproving customer experience). When all active load client entries havebeen processed, the power savings application 120 optionally invokes(908) the carbon savings application 132 or, analogously, a sulfurdioxide savings application or a nitrogen dioxide savings application,to correlate the power savings with carbon credits, sulfur dioxidecredits or nitrogen dioxide credits, respectively, based on thegeographic locations of the particular serving utility or marketparticipant and customer. Additionally, in one embodiment, the carbonsavings application 132 determines carbon credits based on governmentapproved or supplied formulas and stores the determined carbon creditsand/or PSV and/or PTB on a per customer and/or per utility basis.

As described above, the present invention encompasses a method formanaging and distributing power within a power management system basedon real-time feedback from addressable and remotely controllable devicesincluding the actual amount of power currently being individually orcollectively consumed by the addressable devices. With this invention, apower management system may pinpoint specific areas of high power usageand more accurately distribute power loads to utilities in need.Additionally, the present invention provides optional participationincentives for customers based on the amount of their actualparticipation in the power management system.

Additionally, customer profiles for power consumption are included inthe present invention. The embodiments described utilize conceptsdisclosed in published patent application US 2009/0062970, entitled“System and Method for Active Power Load Management” which isincorporated by reference in its entirety herein. The followingparagraphs describe the Active Management Load System (ALMS), whichincludes at least one Active Load Director (ALD), and at least oneActive Load Client (ALC) in sufficient detail to assist the reader inthe understanding of the embodiments described herein. More detaileddescription of the ALMS, ALD, and ALC can be found in US 2009/0062970,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Embodiments described herein utilize the Active Load Management System(ALMS) that is fully described in published patent application US2009/0062970. The ALMS captures energy usage data at each service pointand stores that data in a central database. This data describes all ofthe energy consumed by devices owned by each customer, as well asadditional information, such as customer preferences. Other embodimentsof the ALMS and/or ALC/ALD combination focus on use of this informationin the calculation of carbon credits or for the trading of unusedenergy.

In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for creating andmaking use of customer profiles, including energy consumption patterns.Devices within a service point, using the active load director, may besubject to control events, often based on customer preferences. Thesecontrol events cause the service point to use less power. Dataassociated with these control events, as well as related environmentdata, are used to create an energy consumption profile for each servicepoint. This can be used by the utility to determine which service pointsare the best targets for energy consumption. In addition, an additionalalgorithm determines how to prevent the same service points from beingpicked first each time the utility wants to conserve power.

In one embodiment, a method is provided for determining and usingcustomer energy profiles to manage electrical load control events on acommunications network between a server in communication with anelectric utility and a client device at each of a plurality of servicepoints. A customer profile is generated at the server for each of aplurality of customers including at least energy consumption informationfor a plurality of controllable energy consuming devices at anassociated service point. The plurality of customer profiles is storedin a database at the server for use in load control events. Theplurality of customer profiles are aggregated into a plurality of groupsbased on at least one predetermined criterion, for example PSV and/orPTB, grouping by bus, as required.

A candidate list of service points for load control events based on thepredetermined criterion is generated at the server. A load control eventis sent to at least one selected service point in the candidate list ofservice points in response to an energy reduction request including atarget energy savings received from the electric utility via thecommunications network. An energy savings for the plurality ofcontrollable energy consuming devices resulting from the load controlevent at the selected service point is determined at the server. Theserver determines if the resulting energy savings is at least equal tothe target energy savings. The load control event is sent to at leastone selected additional service point in the candidate list of servicepoints in order to reach the target energy savings, if the target energysavings has not been reached.

In one embodiment, a system is provided for determining and usingcustomer energy profiles to manage electrical load control events on acommunications network between a server in communication with anelectric utility and a client device at each of a plurality of servicepoints, including an interface for each customer location that could bean ALC, smart meter, building control, and combinations thereof. Thesystem includes a memory storing a database containing a plurality ofcustomer profiles for load control events wherein each customer profileincludes at least energy consumption information for a plurality ofcontrollable energy consuming devices at an associated service point;and a server processor, cooperative with the memory, and configured formanaging electrical load control events on the communications network tothe plurality of service points by: generating a customer profile foreach of a plurality of customers; aggregating the plurality of customerprofiles into a plurality of groups based on at least one predeterminedcriterion; generating a candidate list of service points for loadcontrol events based on the predetermined criterion; sending a loadcontrol event to at least one selected service point in the candidatelist of service points in response to an energy reduction requestincluding a target energy savings received from the electric utility viathe communications network; determining an energy savings for theplurality of controllable energy consuming devices resulting from theload control event at the selected service point; determining if theresulting energy savings is at least equal to the target energy savings;and sending the load control event to at least one selected additionalservice point in the candidate list of service points in order to reachthe target energy savings.

Note that control events, command and control messages, and timeperiods, and combinations thereof, managed by the ALCs and/or ALDs, andother messaging used in embodiments of the invention include regulatedload management messages. Regulated load management messages containinformation used to apply control of the electric supply to individualappliances or equipment on customer premises. The load to be controlledincludes native load and operating reserves including regulating,spinning, and non-spinning types. The embodiments disclosed make use ofthe “customer profiles” concept. The ALMS and/or ALC/ALD combination(s)enables data to be gathered to generate a profile of each customer,including information about controllable energy consuming devices, andthe related individual structures or service points. Customer profilesreside within the Active Load Director Database 124 in the Active LoadDirector 100. Included in this customer profile is the customer'spattern of energy consumption. The customer profile includes, but is notlimited to, the following: (1) customer name; (2) customer address; (3)geodetic location; (4) meter ID; (5) customer programs (possiblyincluding program history); (6) device information, including devicetype and manufacturer/brand; (7) customer energy consumption patterns;and (8) connection and disconnection profile. Theconnection/disconnection profile can include service priority (i.e.,elderly, police, etc.) and disconnection instructions. The customerprofile is created by using data gathered from within the ALMS. Datagathered or calculated includes, but is not be limited to, thefollowing: (1) set points; (2) energy and average energy used in a giventime period; (3) energy and average energy saved in a given time period;(4) drift time per unit temperature and average drift time; and (5)power time per unit temperature and average power time per unittemperature.

In other embodiments, additional data called “variability factors” maybe captured by the ALMS or ALC/ALD combination as part of the customerprofile, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) outsidetemperature, (2) sunlight, (3) humidity, (4) wind speed and direction,(5) elevation above sea level, (6) orientation of the service pointstructure, (7) duty duration and percentage, (8) set point difference,(9) current and historic room temperature, (10) size of structure, (11)number of floors, (12) type of construction (brick, wood, siding etc.)(13) color of structure, (14) type of roofing material and color, (15)construction surface of structure (built on turf, clay, cement, asphaltetc.), (16) land use (urban, suburban, rural), (17) latitude/longitude,(18) relative position to jet stream, (19) quality of power to devices,(20) number of people living in and/or using structure and (21) otherenvironmental factors.

Additional factors may also be deemed necessary for determining uniqueenergy consumption patterns and generating performance curves and datamatrices for usage in load control events and other purposes detailed inthis and related patent applications.

By way of example, based upon the reduction in consumed power, thesystems and methods of the present invention provide for generating atthe control center a power supply value (PSV) corresponding to thereduction in consumed power by the power consuming device(s).Importantly, the PSV is an actual value that includes measurement andverification of the reduction in consumed power; such measurement andverification methods may be determined by the appropriate governing bodyor authority for the electric power grid(s). Power Supply Value (PSV) iscalculated at the meter or submeter or at building control system or atany device or controller that measures power within the standard assupplied by the regulatory body(ies) that govern the regulation of thegrid. PSV variations may depend on operating tolerances, operatingstandard for accuracy of the measurement. The PSV enables transformationof curtailment or reduction in power at the device level by any systemthat sends or receives an IP message to be related to or equated tosupply as presented to the governing entity that accepts these valuesand award supply equivalence, for example of a power generating entityor an entity allowed to control power consuming devices as permitted bythe governing body of the electric power grid, e.g., FERC, NERC, etc.

PSV may be provided in units of electrical power flow, monetaryequivalent, and combinations thereof. Thus, the PSV provides an actualvalue that is confirmed by measurement and/or verification, therebyproviding for a curtailment value as a requirement for providing supplyto the power grid, wherein the supply to the power electric power gridis provided for grid stability, voltage stability, reliability, andcombinations thereof, and is further provided as responsive to an energymanagement system or equivalent for providing grid stability,reliability, frequency as determined by governing authority for theelectric power grid and/or grid operator(s).

As part of the Active Load Directory (ALD), the methods described hereinconsolidate this information creating a historic energy consumptionpattern reflecting the amount of energy used by each service point tomaintain its normal mode of operation. This energy consumption patternis part of a customer's profile.

Energy consumption patterns are subject to analysis that may be used fora variety of different types of activities. For example, based on theenergy consumption patterns created from this data, the ALD will deriveperformance curves and/or data matrices for each service point to whichthe Active Load Management System (ALC/ALD combination(s)) is attachedand determine the amount of energy reduction that can be realized fromeach service point. The ALD will create a list of service points throughwhich energy consumption can be reduced via demand side management,interruptible load, or spinning/regulation reserves. This informationcan be manipulated by the ALD processes to create a prioritized,rotational order of control, called “intelligent load rotation” which isdescribed in detail below. This rotational shifting of the burden of theinterruptible load has the practical effect of reducing and flatteningthe utility load curve while allowing the serving utility to effectivelygroup its customers within the ALD or its own databases by energyefficiency.

The practical application of this data is that in load control events, autility can determine the most efficient service points to dispatchenergy from, or more importantly derive the most inefficient servicepoints (e.g., homes, small businesses, communities, structures, ordevices) within the utility's operating territory. Based on thisinformation, highly targeted conservation programs could have animmediate impact to improve energy efficiency. From a marketingperspective, this is invaluable information because it contains thecomfort preference of a service point compared against the capabilitiesof the service point's energy consuming devices, or the lack ofefficiency of those devices. From a national security point of view, theprofiles could be used to determine habits of monitored end customers ina similar fashion to how Communications Assistance for Law EnforcementAct (CALEA) is used by law enforcement for wire-tapping. Utilities mayuse energy consumption patterns to categorize or group customers forservice, control event, marketing, sales, or other purposes. Other usesof energy consumption patterns are possible that determine or predictcustomer behavior.

Generally, the embodiments described encompass a closed loop system andmethod for creating a customer profile, calculating and derivingpatterns of energy drift, and making use of those patterns whenimplemented through the machinery of a system comprised of loadmeasurement devices combined with the physical communications link andwhen these inputs are manipulated through a computer, processor, memory,routers and other necessary machines as those who are skilled in the artwould expect to be utilized.

The embodiments described also make use of the concept of “drift.” Thedata gathered for the customer profile is used to empirically derive thedecay rate or drift, temperature slope, or a dynamic equation (f{x})whereby the service point (or device) will have a uniquely derived“fingerprint” or energy usage pattern.

Drift occurs when a climate-controlled device begins to deviate from aset point. This may occur both normally and during control events.Customers define the upper and lower boundaries of comfort in customerpreferences, with the set point in the middle of those boundaries.During normal operation, a climate controlled device will attempt tostay near the device's set point. However, all devices have a duty cyclethat specifies when the device is in operation because many devices arenot continuously in operation. For a climate-controlled device, the dutycycle ends when the inside temperature reaches, or is within a giventolerance of, the set point. This allows the device to “drift” (upwardor downward) toward a comfort boundary temperature. Once the boundarytemperature is reached, the duty cycle begins again until the insidetemperature reaches, or is within a given tolerance of, the set pointwhich ends the duty cycle.

Therefore, drift is the time it takes for a climate-controlled device tomove from the set point to the upper or lower comfort boundary. Drift iscalculated and recorded for each service point and for each deviceassociated with the service point. The inverse of drift is “power time”which is the time it takes for the device to move from the comfortboundary to the set point.

Drift may also occur during a control event. A control event is anaction that reduces or terminates power consumption of a device. Duringa control event, a climate-controlled device will drift toward maximumor minimum control event boundaries (upper or lower) until it reachesthat boundary which is normally outside the comfort boundary. Once itreaches the control event boundary, the ALMS returns power to the deviceto enable it to reach the set point again.

As an example, an HVAC system may have a set point of 72.degree. and aminimum and maximum temperature of 68.degree. and 76.degree.,respectively. On a cold day, a control event would cause the HVAC systemto begin to lose power and move toward the minimum temperature. Once thestructure reaches the minimum temperature, the control event would end,and power would be restored to the HVAC system, thus causing thetemperature to rise toward the preferred temperature. A similar butopposite effect would take place on a warm day.

In some embodiments, drift, as well as other measurements available fromthe active load director data base 124, are used to create an energyconsumption pattern for each service point. Additional measurements mayinclude vacancy times, sleep times, times in which control events arepermitted, as well as variability factors referred to previously.

A device that resides within an energy-efficient structure will have atendency to cool or heat more slowly, thus exhibiting a lower rate ofdrift. These devices may be subject to control events for longer periodsof time, commensurate with the rate of drift, because it takes themlonger to drift to a comfort boundary.

In another embodiment, the active load director server 100 identifiesservice points that have an optimum drift for power savings. The powersavings application 120 calculates drift for each service point andsaves that information in the active load director data base 124.

The embodiments disclosed also make use of the “intelligent loadrotation” concept. Intelligent load rotation uses machine intelligenceto ensure that the same service points are not always selected forcontrol events, but distributes control events over a service area insome equitable way.

There are a variety of ways in which intelligent load rotation may beimplemented. In one embodiment of intelligent load rotation, servicepoints are simply selected in a sequential list until the end isreached, after which selection starts at the top of the list again. Thisis a fairly straightforward approach that may be implemented by any oneskilled in the art.

The present invention further includes a basic intelligent load rotationalgorithm. In general, the algorithm goes through each service pointwithin a group of service points, and sends control events to each ofthose service points until enough energy savings have been obtained.

In its most basic form, the algorithm first identifies a group selectioncriteria as indicated in logic block. This may be as simple as allservice points or may be more complex, such as selecting service pointswithin a specified drift or within a specified geographic area. Thegroup selection criteria may include, but is not limited to, any of thefollowing: (1) random selection of service points; (2) drift; (3)grouping of logical geodetic points by a utility; (4) efficiency ratingof appliances; (5) ALD customer preferences; (6) capacity of devices;(7) proximity to transmission lines; (8) pricing signals (both dynamicand static); and (9) service priority, based upon an emergency situation(i.e. fire, police, hospital, elderly, etc.), the required level ofoperating reserves from market participant, grid operator, EMS, andequivalent.

The algorithm then identifies an individual service point selectioncriterion as indicated in logic block. This is the criterion forselecting individual service points within a group. In its simplestembodiment, this criterion involves sequential selection of servicepoints within the group. Other criteria may include random selection,selection based on number of previous control events, or other criteria.

Next, the algorithm creates a candidate list of service points based onthe group selection criteria as indicated in logic block. From thislist, the algorithm selects a service point based on the individualservice point selection criteria as indicated in logic block. The ALMSthen sends a control event to the selected service point as indicated inlogic block, and calculates the energy savings of that control eventbased on drift calculation as indicated in block. The algorithm thendetermines if more energy savings are needed to reach the savings targetas indicated in decision block. If not, then the ALMS records where thealgorithm ended in the candidate list as indicated in block 1824 andexits. If more energy savings are needed, then the ALMS determines ifany more service points are in the candidate list as indicated indecision block. If there are no more service points in the candidatelist, then the algorithm returns to the beginning of the candidate listagain in logic block. Otherwise, if there are more service points in thecandidate list, the algorithm simply returns to logic block.

In an alternate embodiment, decision block may be modified to determineif more service points are to be selected from this group.

There are many other embodiments of intelligent load rotation. Manyembodiments are based on the group selection criteria. Service pointsmay be grouped by geography or some other common characteristic ofservice points. For example, groups might include “light consumers”(because they consume little energy), “daytime consumers” (because theywork at night), “swimmers” (for those who have a pool and use it), orother categories. These categories are useful to the utility or marketparticipant, grid operator, EMS, or equivalent for quickly referring tocustomers with specific energy demographics. The utility or marketparticipant, grid operator, EMS, or equivalent may then select a numberof service points in each group for control events to spread controlevents among various groups.

In another embodiment, optimum drift can be used as the group selectioncriteria. Because those service points will use the least energy, theutility may want to select those service points that are the most energyefficient.

In another embodiment, a group of service points is selected that havehad the fewest control events in the past. This ensures that servicepoints with the most control events in the past will be bypassed infavor of those who have received fewer control events.

In another embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 24-25, drift is used as ameans of intelligent load rotation. As data is collected by the ALMS orALC/ALD combinations, it is possible to calculate the total drift of adevice over time, as shown in FIG. 24. The calculation for one servicepoint represents one vector on the graph. Each vector represents thedrift for a single service point. To identify the service points withthe optimal drift, the ALD 100 determines the median drift and allservice points having a drift that is within one standard deviation awayfrom that median. That represents the shaded area in the graph depictedin FIG. 25. If sufficient service points cannot be found that are withinone standard deviation, then the second standard deviation can beselected.

In another embodiment, energy consumption patterns in customer profilesare used to identify service points that are the best targets for excesspower sharing. This would occur when renewable energy such as solar orwind is added to the grid, resulting in power that cannot be compensatedfor by the grid. This could occur, for example, on very windy days. Whenthis happens, utilities or market participant, grid operator, EMS, orequivalent are faced with the problem of what to do with the excessenergy. Instead of cutting power to service points in order to affectpower savings, a utility, market participant, grid operator, EMS, orequivalent could add energy to service points in order to effect powerdissipation. The service points selected by the utility may be different(or even the inverse) of those selected for power savings. The devicesat these service points would be turned on if they were off or setpoints for climate-controlled devices would be adjusted to heat or coolmore than normal. Spread out over many control points, this can providethe energy dissipation needed.

In a further embodiment, energy consumption patterns within customerprofiles could be used to identify opportunities for up selling, downselling, or cross selling.

These opportunities may be determined by the power utility or by itspartners. Data from customer profiles may be used to provide insights oninefficient devices, defective devices, or devices that require updatingto meet current standards. Customer profile data may also be used toidentify related sales opportunities. For example, if energy consumptionpatterns suggest that the customer may be very interested in personalenergy conservation, then sales efforts could be directed toward thatindividual concerning products related to that lifestyle. Thisinformation can be used by the utility or its partners to provideincentives to customers to buy newer, updated devices, or obtainmaintenance for existing devices. The customer is given the option toopt out of having his customer profile used for sales and marketingefforts, or for regulating energy conservation. The customer profilemakes use of open standards (by way of example and not limitation, theCPExchange standard) that specify a privacy model with the customerprofile. The use of consumption patterns in this manner is governed bynational, state, or local privacy laws and regulations.

A further embodiment of using customer profiles to identify salesopportunities involves the use of device information to createincentives for customers to replace inefficient devices. By identifyingthe known characteristics and/or behavior of devices within a servicepoint, the invention identifies those customers who may benefit fromreplacement of those devices. The invention estimates a payback periodfor replacement. This information is used by the ALC/ALD operator tocreate redemptions, discounts, and campaigns to persuade customers toreplace their devices.

Furthermore, customer profiles when combined with characteristics aboutthe load consuming devices, the structure or building that consumeselectricity, or a combination of many human & thermodynamic factors,weather (both forecasted & actual), can assist utilities, REPs, marketparticipants, or Demand Response Aggregators (commonly referred to asCurtailment Service Providers or “CSPs” who are themselves MarketParticipants) form unique energy consumption data and “curves” thatwould provide a utility, REP, Market Participant, CSP or any otherentity that has been granted permission by the Grid Operator orgoverning body of the electric utility grid, to create estimated andactual Power Supply Values for how much power is available to removefrom the grid under the positive control of both the consumer and theutility, REP, CSP, Market Participant or grid operators. The system usesthe information and selects based upon the profiles and quality of thedevices to give the most PSV for operating reserves back to the gridwith minimized tangible impact on the consumer or the device following acurtailment event.

FIG. 31 provides a schematic diagram illustrating analytics for how thesystem and methods of the present invention provides additionaloperating (e.g., regulating, spinning and/or non-spinning) reserve to apower utility, market participant, grid operator, etc. FIG. 32illustrates a screen shot of an exemplary web browser interface throughwhich a customer may designate his or her device performance and energysaving preferences for an environmentally-dependent, power consumingdevice in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG.33 is a graph that depicts a load profile of a utility during aprojected time period, showing actual energy usage as well as projectedenergy usage determined with and without a control event, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; automatedcomputer program allows for determination of which devices forcurtailment as FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary curve forpower consuming devices within the system, wherein each device has itsown curve based upon factors; and FIG. 25 illustrating generation of anexemplary sampling repository at the active load director associatedwith the devices and the curve of FIG. 24 to determine which buildingsor homes are more energy efficient; these are better targets becausethey maintain conditions at curtailment longer without deterioration(e.g., heat loss, cool loss of home, etc.) power efficiency,thermodynamic efficiency, then control based upon the reserve that isbeing dispatched, thereby creating “bands” of operating reserves basedupon prioritization within the system.

According to the present invention, PSV may be generated by methodsincluding information relating to baselining historical load, estimatingbased upon curves, real-time or near-real-time value, and combinationsthereof. Advantageously, the present invention provides active loadmanagement metrics, including PSV, much better than merely statisticalestimate for a command as with prior art; PSV also further provides forsteps of measurement and settlement. FERC requires that the settlementcredits provide at point where it occurs; so then settlement informationfollows the transaction; most preferably, according to the presentinvention, settlement occurs in real time or near real time, as infinancial transactions or other commodity transactions, such as fornatural gas supply. Also, preferably, there is a defined interval thatis accepted or acceptable by the governing entity for the electric powergrid, wherein each transaction is recorded as it occurs. Furthermore,the present invention provides for IP real-time communications thatprovide for settlement of the curtailment by load-consuming devices ator approximate to the time of the transaction, i.e., the curtailment.Also, preferably, there is data that provides supporting evidenceattached with the IP real-time communication of the acceptance of theload control event, and then automatically recorded in a settlementdatabase. Also, some information related to this transaction and itssettlement is transmitted to the energy/curtailment purchaser, and thenalso the seller is paid according to the PSV and/or PTB related to thecurtailment event.

These Power Supply Values (PSVs) and Curves created by the consumer, theconsumption habits, data mining and the thermodynamic properties of theload consuming devices and whatever these load consuming devices areattached to provide a method and apparatus such that the consumerexperience is not negatively impacted and that small amounts of electricconsumption can be collected from the profiles and provided to autility, grid operator, market participant, REP or CSP and sold back tothe electric grid in the form of Operating Reserves or other DemandResponse/Curtailment Programs where the individual profiles whencombined with a plurality of profiles created marketable Power TradingBlocks as so long as these blocks can meet the operational requirementsof the grid operators/utilities and are utilized either by an processor,database, and active load intelligence that supplies the grid operator,utility with sufficient information so that the profile derivedOperating Reserve can be monetized as directed by FERC Order 745 or anysubsequent FERC Orders that result in curtailment/demand response tohave economic value to the consumer and the utility, market participant,CSP, REP or any other entity that is authorized to aggregate andmonetize curtailment and operating reserves back to the electric utilitygrid.

Power Trading Blocks (PTBs) are dependent upon the grid operator or ISO;there must be enough curtailment or supply for the grid operator toaccept, settle, and monetize. At this time, the PTB is 100 kWatts inmost electric power grids, such as a conventional utility or independentsystem operator or grid or microgrid operator. Generally, the poweravailable as operating reserves is traded in larger amounts, PTB size,to be significant enough to beneficially stabilize the grid and itsoperating reserves. At this time, the regional trading organization orgeographic-specific grid and corresponding regulations therefor,determine the PTB size, which typically requires the aggregation of loadfrom a multiplicity of consumers, residential or commercial, to reach aminimum PTB size or PTB unit. The PTB unit, combined with the PSV, andthe real-time secure communications used with ALC/ALD function to lowerthe size of the minimum PTB required to form a PTB unit for gridreception and settlement purposes. The commercial impact determines theminimum PTB size, which corresponds to a PTB unit, due to cost andtiming of communication of the information related to the curtailmentevent(s) and response by the device(s), and how aggregation of loadcurtailment by the multiplicity of devices is managed to ensure maximumcompensation to the customer(s) associated with the device(s) for thecurtailment event, with minimum negative physical impact to thoseconsumers and/or devices from the curtailment event.

Customer profiles may also be dynamic. An example of this would be theability for a consumer (commercial or residential) to utilize real timecommunications from an electric utility grid, market, marketparticipant, utility, REP, CSP or any other entity authorized on behalfof the consumer to act on their behalf to control load consuming devicesowned by the consumer and connected to the electric utility grid. Aconsumer may received this information through a plurality of methodsutilizing IP based communications methods and web based devices such assmart phones, computers, text messages, paging messages, or even voiceresponse units or live customer service agents. Under this real timescenario, a consumer could dynamically “Opt In” to a pre-determinedcustomer profile or “Opt Out” or more importantly change the profiledynamically to take advantage of real time market pricing of electricitybeing sold by the utility, market participant, REP or any entityauthorized to buy, sell and trade electric commodity or demand responseproducts on behalf of the consumer.

Alternative methods that may also be considered is a processor basedconsumer profiles where multiple “what if” scenarios based upon time ofuse, pricing, pricing triggers, comfort and unforeseen events such asnatural disasters are contemplated. Under these scenarios, the customerprofile may automatically be changed by the processor/databaseapparatus, the end devices themselves or a “learning” algorithm wherebythe consumer allows an intelligent programming “Artificial Intelligence”capability to predict and act on the consumer's behalf without anyintervention by the consumer required, but with the correspondingOperating Reserves and Power Supply Values communicated in real time ornear real time sufficient for the utility, REP, Market Participant, CSPor other authorized entity to act and trade these Operating Reservescreated by the aggregation of the consumer profiles through theplurality of systems and apparatus' to act individually or connected andnetworked together to act as one resource through an energy managementsystem or some other approved processor/database/cloud based system thatcan aggregate the sum of the profiles, determine the Power SupplyValues, create the operating reserves via the profiles and send theappropriate command & control commands through various IP basedcommunications methods to effect the devices, permitted through theseprofiles, to perform either curtailment (or consumption) to created theappropriate Operating Reserve product.

Customer Profiles are also important in the operation of the newrenewable markets to include electric vehicle operations. Chargingoperations of electric vehicles have the potential effect of negativelyimpacting the operation of the electric grid by causing unpredictablepeaks and distribution system stress if too many vehicles are chargingsimultaneously, so then billing from different charging locations butassociated with a specific electric vehicle provide for settlementtherefor. Furthermore the problem of settlement of charging in foreignlocations from the consumers “home” charging station has not beenaddressed. Consumer profiles are a very important component of thissolution as the location of the EV, the cost of power at the point of are-charging event, the remaining capacity of the on-board batteries andthe ability to dispatch excess capacity to the electric grid via anActive Load Director or intelligent charging station are all componentsof Customer Profiles that can also be utilized for the economicadvantage of both the consumer, the utility, market participant, REP orCSP. Dynamic pricing transmitted to the car via an IP message or via a“smart phone”, text or through the charging station directly combinedwith set or dynamic profiles as previously described when aggregatedwith other EVs.

Example Generation Source Supply

Generally, electric power is supplied to an electric power grid frommacro power generation sources, by way of example and not limitation,utilities provide electric power generation at facilities based uponlarge scale, primarily fossil fuel power plants such as coal, but alsonatural gas, nuclear, water movement, etc., to activate large turbinesthat provide electricity that is available for distribution over linesthroughout a geographic region or balancing authority, which isdescribed in more detail hereinbelow.

However, microgrid power generation sources are smaller and moredistributed, and may also be supplied with natural gas, propane,diesel-fuel, fuel cells or other generators, emergency power generators,and alternative energy sources, including but not limited to wind power,solar power, and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, commercial deployment of alternative supply sources havebeen introduced to the electric grid in the form of large scale(generally >1 MW) of solar based generation and even larger amounts ofWind Generation where wind drives electric turbines that are attached tothe electric grid.

One skilled in the art of electric power generation would discernobvious problems with these sources of “clean power” including theintermittent nature of solar and wind or to put it broadly, “the sundoes not always shine and the wind does not always blow.” Furthermore,solar and wind require supplemental Operating Reserves to properlyintroduce the resource such that its supply does not de-stabilize thegrid by causing frequency deviations, voltage irregularities orultimately over-supply during off peak conditions where wind is moreprevalent in the evening hours in certain geographies whereby baselinegeneration has to be reduced or load added to the electric grid toproperly balance the grid as previously introduced through thedescription of the invention whereby load or supply can assist instabilizing the grid by providing Operating Reserves and moreimportantly making up supply when both macro sources and renewableenergy sources are not available to meet supply or grid stability needs.Projections suggest that with diminished coal supply, agingtransmission, the conversion of macro generation to natural gas and thedelay of new nuclear facilities that renewable and Distributed EnergyResources (DER) will ultimately make up a large portion of the electricenergy supply needs of the World. Incorporation by reference NERC'sbi-annual “Reliability Assessment Report” provides grid operators,market participants, regulators and utilities projections of capacitydeficiencies that are expected by regional transmission organizations(RTOs), interconnect areas and independent system operators.

Most recently FERC has introduced new regulations covering ALL RTOs thatrecognize that the sum of these factors combined with a growing electricsupply scarcity will force the interconnection and adoption of newsupply sources, storage sources, and DER resources for the electricutility grid to remain reliable. Incorporated by reference, the FERCsupply orders, FERC 750 and FERC 755 in essence order RTOs tofacilitate, compensate and interconnect storage devices that can supplyenergy to the grid, DER resources or new macro resources as so long asthey can operate seamlessly with the grid via their interconnection,measurement, verification, telemetry, metrology and all theaforementioned grid stability attributes that are expected for macrogeneration that offers supply and grid stability. Small scale back upgenerators that have historically been used for emergency backup powerin the event of an unforeseen power outage can be considered an exampleof a DER that with the present invention can be introduced to theelectric power grid with the same reliability as a macro generator.

The present invention provides for the ability at the ASC, servicepoint, or interconnection for primary frequency control (PFC) regardlessif they have received frequency and grid stability information from anEnergy Management System (EMS) that may be provided by the gridoperator, ISO, utility, REP, Market Participant or any other entitydesignated by the governing entity who is qualified to receive gridstability messaging and responding to that messaging such that the DERmay be delivered safely and under the appropriate standards andregulations imposed upon grid operators by the governing entities.

Like renewable, Distributed Energy Resources (DER) generally haveattributes that make their introduction to the grid problematic. DERresources are by inspection, generally less than 1 MW, but could belarger. DER resources, while can be interconnected to the transmissionnetwork of the grid, would require substantial grid elements tofacilitate their interconnection. DER resources, to comply with FERCregulations, must in essence PERFORM just like macro generation in theirability to add supply AND grid stability and the telemetry, control,settlement, metrology AND interconnection requirements prior to thepresent invention have made the introduction of these resourcesdifficult.

The present invention has adequately described in great detail how theseproblems are solved through the employment of computer assistedapparatus' that include, but are not limited to processors, ASICS,memory, analytics, communications interfaces and methodologies,databases, both relational, high performance “historian” databases,persistence and cache layers, metadata layers, analytics engines,monitoring and reporting active load clients, Internet Protocal,Ethernet, carrier grade wired and wireless networks, proprietarynetworks, TDM wireless and wired networks, analog and digital telemetrysubsystems, Coordinators, Active Supply Directors and a plurality of theabove both centralized, networked together and distributed. While theprevious descriptions have been detailed in the embodiment of FERC 745Load acting as supply, one skilled in the art will correlate thosefunctions previously described as they apply to the supply side.

These highly decentralized networks must be capable of operatingdirectly under the control of an EMS, through a Coordinator, orautonomously if they are disconnected from the macro electric grid orhave voluntarily opted to disconnect themselves from the electric gridtemporarily or permanently. The present invention provides throughsoftware, hardware and advanced communications methodologies thecapabilities of MANY small DER resources to perform and deliver theirenergy resource directly to the electric grid interconnected as theywere a macro resource with aggregated PSV values that build up tominimum PTB blocks that can be both presented, operated and monetized bya Market Participant, REP, Utility, IPP, A Company acting as their ownenergy agent or a plurality of all of the above.

The present invention also provides for intermittent resourcespreviously described the ability to be balanced, regulated and offeredto the grid as reliably as DER resources. Balancing DER resources wouldsuggest that a plurality of these resources may be collocated at thesame service point/attachment OR be themselves disaggregated from eachother physically, but interconnected via the present invention and itsattributes. An embodiment of this type of DER would be a commercialbuilding that has installed solar film, panels or combinations thereof,a wind or water turbine, and a back-up generator at the sameinstallation. These different resources with their different DERattributes must all be combined through an ASC that would have thecapability of providing for primary frequency control per supply source,voltage control, meet the appropriate attachment regulations that may bedifferent based upon the location of the DER supply on the distributionor transmission system and operating those systems either through acoordinator and an EMS or autonomously from both while still offeringits supply to the interconnected electric grid. The present inventionfunctions to communicate and control the DER resources based uponavailability of the resource, what the grid's energy needs are at themoment of the energy being presented by or through a Market Participantor if permitted by the governing entity an individual consumer utilizingthe present invention or the economic incentives that are profile based,sold in advance through an approved trading organization approved by thegoverning entity, or supplied in real time at the attachment point onthe grid and supplied through the present invention as directed by anEnergy Management System or providing those EMS services due to an EMSnot being available at the time the resource is delivered and wherebythe apparatus of the present invention is providing energy and gridstabilizing resources from the available sources, balanced upon whateach resource can provide reliably to the interconnection of theelectric grid.

Other embodiments of DER that can be used with the present inventionwould be communication facilities such as wireless communications towersowned by carriers, tower leasing companies such as American Tower, CrownCastle Inc. SBA Inc etc. whereby standby generation, batteries, solar,wind or other forms of backup generation including fuel cells arepresent to insure reliability. Wireline facilities such as data centers,central offices, television, cable and other communications criticalinfrastructure are all examples of micro and macrogrid interconnectionswhereby latent standby generation and DER resources may already bepresent and whereby the use of the described invention would be used tointerconnect these DER resources to the electric power grid.

Additional embodiments would include small and medium businesses thatemploy back up generation as a part of reliability against loss of powersuch as grocery chains, retail chains, hospitals, light and industrialmanufacturing facilities and any combination thereof whereby theavailability of a DER resource can be combined with the presentinvention to create a dispatchable resource that can be interconnecteddirectly to the electric power grid.

As these DER resources are deployed, capacity in the upstream anddownstream physical layer distribution and transmission system iscreated by PSV and PTB values that the present invention will track andreport to the interconnected grid operator and their distribution andtransmission operational subsystems for use by other DER resources ormacro resources. As stated previously, with an aging infrastructure,DER's benefits include the ability to de-load aging transmission anddistribution resources so they might carry electric energy to othersources where previous transmission (wire capacity) constraints existed.Disconnecting a business, balancing area, campus or other microgrid on aDER based supply for purposes of offering grid stability and deloadingtransmission capacity is an additional embodiment that the presentinvention facilitates for grid stability in compliance with FERC 755.Microgrid power generation/DER sources are smaller and more distributed,and may also be supplied with natural gas, propane, methane,diesel-fuel, fuel cells or other generators, emergency power generators,and alternative energy sources, including but not limited to wind power,solar power, and combinations thereof.

Example Storage Source Supply

In the case of Storage Source Supply (SSS), electric power is providedto the grid from storage device(s), including fuel cells, batterydevices, energy potential devices and systems (including stored waterfor release to provide energy, etc.), and any means, functions, orsystems for storing energy that is convertible into electric power forintroduction to an electric power grid.

Storage devices present new challenges since many of these, particularlybatteries must utilize DC to AC converters to deliver their potentialenergy to the grid utilizing the present invention as the command,control, and reporting infrastructure to safely and reliably deliverthese resources under the control of the grid operator, MarketParticipant, utility, Retail Electric Provider, Curtailment ServiceProvider, Qualified Scheduling Entity or combinations thereof.

Storage is different than for a full-fledged generator. A battery doesnot provide a continuous energy discharge beyond its capacity, and soeach battery, as used according to the present invention, includescharacteristics of a time limit until discharge, which is based upon itsrate of discharge and the amount of power stored and available fordischarge at a given point. Note that this applies also to compressedair, water stored in a tank (non-continuous storage of water havingpotential to generate power).

The types and size of batteries, i.e., their characteristics, must beknown by the Coordinator so that when a battery device is installedand/or connected at a service point, or other attachment to the grid,the battery registers its capacity, amp-hour, discharge rate, voltage,or any relevant manufacturer-specific information that may impact theprofile of the battery's discharge. Preferably, the ASD and/orCoordinator, receive registration messaging from the battery device andassign or label it with a rating or other name or identifier thatincludes characterization classification therewith. The ASD and/orCoordinator are operable to further characterize and monitor the voltageand current degradation of the storage device (battery device) as itdelivers or discharges its power as supply to the electric grid at theservice point and/or attachment to the grid.

As with other supply sources, location and attachment to thedistribution and transmission system has certain characteristics thatmust be modeled by the ASD such that the source of generation and itsimpact on the distribution or transmission system, the devices that willbe energized by the supply source as well as the type of energy resourceor Operating Reserve that will be supplied by the storage device isknown and initially registered through the Coordinator and whose PSV andPTB information is retained at the ASC/ALC, the Coordinator, and/or theASD so that the apparatus may be responsive to an EMS supplied by aMarket Participant (or others as previously described) for safe deliveryof electric power through the orderly discharge of the storage device inresponse to the energy resource that has been chosen either by the ownerof the battery, the bidding organization that has the authority throughthe Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) or Market Participant to present,control, measure, verify, settle, and collect or receive real or virtualcompensation or equivalent (e.g., offset) for the energy availableand/or actually provided as supply to the electric power grid.

Storage devices in combination with renewable energy sources previouslydescribed (by way of example and not limitation, wind, solar, etc.) area powerful combination for solving the intermittent nature of therenewable resource by the supply resource supplying regulation orOperating Reserves to make up for the lack of stable generationcapability that often exists when renewable energy is installed at atransmission or distribution level. In this use case, storage devicesare discharged under the control of the ASD, and/or through theCoordinator, which will automatically select the proper telemetryrequired for the storage device to meet the grid stability requirementsprovided by the governing entity.

Further embodiments of this regulation resource can be described asgeneration balancing whereby the ALC/ASC will distribute the appropriatecommands as prescribed by the ASD and through the Coordinator inresponse to primary frequency control at the service point or attachmentto the electric power grid, and in response to commands received by theEMS. Thus, storage devices (battery devices) according to their rolewith the present invention are transformed to be operable to stabilizeand regulate renewable energy resources to make their introduction tothe electric power grid as reliable as a turbine generator powered by aplurality of methods.

Embodiments of this capability of the ASD, Coordinator and ASC enablefor either the simultaneous deployment of solar/wind or other renewableresources collocated with back-up generation and storage devices.Furthermore, the ASD and/or Coordinator is operable to perform not onlya least cost analysis, but also to provide for the most cost-effectiveenergy resource to be dispatched, and the most reliable balancing tooccur autonomously, without the intervention of an EMS, but in responseto an EMS messaging and/or telemetry from the EMS for grid stability,where the primary frequency response functions being performed by theASC at the collocated site is overridden or deviated due to gridstability needs or requirements. Thus, the ASD and/or Coordinatorfunction autonomously as “energy router” in response to the EMSmessaging, but being operable to control and monitor, i.e., through afeedback loop of communication with the registered grid elements and/ordevices associated and/or controlled or managed by that ASD and/or theCoordinator. Furthermore, in addition to the optimization of gridstability in response to the EMS messaging, which includes IP messaging,the ALD and/or ASD and/or the Coordinator manage and prioritizeresponse, preferably through IP messaging, via the registered gridelements and/or devices associated with supply for the electric powergrid by providing automatically for optimization according to amultiplicity of factors, including but not limited to cost, timing,price, market conditions, responsiveness, fuel, charging/dischargecosts, installation, and combinations.

It should be noted that many terms and acronyms are used in thisdescription that are well-defined in the telecommunications and/orcomputer networking industries and are well understood by personsskilled in these arts, and in electric power management arts. Completedescriptions of these terms and acronyms, whether defining atelecommunications standard or protocol, can be found in readilyavailable telecommunications standards and literature and are notdescribed in any detail herein.

It will be appreciated that embodiments or components of the systemsdescribed herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processorsand unique stored program instructions that control the one or moreprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processorcircuits, some, most, or all of the functions for managing power loadand/or supply distribution, and tracking and controlling individualsubscriber power consumption and savings, and power supply in one ormore power load and/or supply management systems. The non-processorcircuits may include, but are not limited to, radio receivers, radiotransmitters, antennas, modems, signal drivers, clock circuits, powersource circuits, relays, meters, sub-meters, smart breakers, currentsensors, and customer input devices. As such, these functions may beinterpreted as steps of a method to distribute information and controlsignals between devices in a power load and/or supply management system.Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a statemachine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each functionor some combinations of functions are implemented as custom logic. Ofcourse, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methodsand means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it isexpected that one of ordinary skill in the art, notwithstanding possiblysignificant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example,available time, current technology, and economic considerations, whenguided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readilycapable of generating such software instructions, programs andintegrated circuits (ICs), and appropriately arranging and functionallyintegrating such non-processor circuits, without undue experimentation.

Additionally, measurement, verification, settlement for the PSV forthose market participants involved in the power management of the systemis further included in the application of the present invention. Also,the systems, methods, and apparatus of the present invention may furtherinclude a database, a processor, software operable thereon, andinterfaces to outside market participants that provide for capacityreservation of the distribution and transmission systems.

In embodiments of the present invention, supply and/or load curtailmentas supply grid elements and/or devices may further include additionalcomponents to facilitate their automatic and/or manual registration withthe systems, methods, and apparatus of the present invention.Furthermore, messaging for registration between these grid elementsand/or devices and the Coordinator and/or ASD may include an initialmessaging for the first registration communication that providesinformation necessary for activation, operation, and integration withthe electric power grid, including all future messaging, prioritization,profiles, updates, upgrades, modifications, settlement, security, andcombinations thereof. The Coordinator, following the initial messagingfrom the grid element and/or device, may optionally provide a “energycookie” that functions to facilitate the activities of the Coordinatorfor management, control, messaging, and matching to maintain and balancethe EMS requirements with those of the electric power grid and all ofthe registered grid elements and/or devices thereon.

In the foregoing specification, the present invention has been describedwith reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the presentinvention is applicable for managing the distribution of power fromutility companies to subscribing customers using any number of IP-basedor other communication methods. Additionally, the functions of specificmodules within the ALD server 100 and/or active load client 300 may beperformed by one or more equivalent means. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments of the presentinvention. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, andany element(s) that may cause or result in such benefits, advantages, orsolutions to become more pronounced are not to be construed as acritical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all theclaims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims includingany amendments made during the pendency of this application and allequivalents of those claims as issued.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the foregoing description. The above-mentionedexamples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects ofthe invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art thatthey do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. All modificationsand improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of concisenessand readability but are properly within the scope of the presentinvention.

The claimed invention is:
 1. A system for managing and supplying poweron an electric power grid that is constructed and configured forsupplying and receiving power from a multiplicity of sources, where thepower flows to a plurality of power consuming devices or is generated bya plurality of power generation and/or storage solutions that areenergized, de-energized, and/or power-reduced by a plurality ofcontrollable devices, the system comprising: a server comprising acommand processor operable to receive or initiate power commands andissue power event messages responsive thereto for supplying power to theelectric power grid by at least one power supply grid element; acoordinator constructed and configured in networked communication withthe server, and operable for receiving, sending, storing, processing,and/or managing the power event messages for the server and for theplurality of power generation and storage solutions; wherein the powerevent messages are communicated over a network via the coordinatorthrough an IP-based messaging, synchronous time division multiplexed(TDM)-based messaging, or a proprietary-based messaging; wherein thepower event messages include revenue grade metrology; a database forstoring information relating to power consumed by the plurality of powerconsuming devices and an amount of power to be reduced to each of thepower consuming devices and/or an amount of power supply to be providedto the electric power grid or to be made available for supply to theelectric power grid; and wherein the system is operable for providingmaintained or improved grid reliability and stability.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one smart meter and at least onesmart meter interface operable to receive the power commands and thepower event messages from the server, wherein the at least one smartmeter interface is further operable to send at least one command to theat least one smart meter in response to the power commands and/or thepower event messages received from the server.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the smart meter is operable to send at least one reply to thesmart meter interface in response to the at least one command, and thesmart meter interface is further operable to convert the at least onereply into a server-readable reply and send the server-readable reply tothe server.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least oneenvironmentally-dependent device including set control points, whereinthe coordinator is operable to generate at least one power supply value(PSV) for the at least one environmentally-dependent devicecorresponding to an amount of power reduced to the at least oneenvironmentally-dependent device based on the set control points.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of powerconsuming devices includes a drift corresponding to the at least onepower consuming device, wherein the drift is the time it takes for theat least one power consuming device to move from a set point to an upperor lower boundary point.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the system isoperable to create an energy consumption pattern for the plurality ofpower consuming devices and/or the at least one power consuming devicebased on the drift.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the system isoperable to classify each of the at least one power consuming devicesinto a plurality of non-exclusive, intelligent load rotation groupsbased on at least a total drift of each of the at least one powerconsuming devices over a designated time period.
 8. The system of claim7, wherein the system is operable to implement intelligent load rotationby selecting at least one of the plurality of intelligent load rotationgroups, selecting a power consuming device within the intelligent loadrotation group, and determining the amount of power to be reduced to theat least one power consuming device.
 9. The system of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of power consuming devices is a datacenter.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is operable forproviding operating reserves based upon the amount of power to bereduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or the amount ofpower supply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be madeavailable for supply to the electric power grid, wherein the operatingreserves are at least one of a regulating, a high performance, aspinning, and/or a non-spinning operating reserve.
 11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the power event messages and the powercommands are communicated through WiMax, High Speed Packet Access(HSPA), Evolution for Data Only (EVDO), Long Term Evolution (LTE),Bluetooth, any first or second generation wireless transport method suchas EDGE, or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), wireless Ethernet,wired Ethernet, any proprietary Layer 1-4 protocol that contains or iscapable of transporting an Internet Protocol message, standards-basedprotocols, and combinations thereof.
 12. The system of claim 1, whereinthe power commands and the power event messages include informationabout load curtailment and/or supply requirements for grid operationsand/or grid stability, and further including grid stabilizationmessaging that is communicated over the network through the coordinatorand/or to an energy management system (EMS) using IP messaging.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein the power commands and/or power eventmessages further include settlement data based upon the informationabout load curtailment and/or supply requirements.
 14. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the electric power grid is a microgrid.
 15. The systemof claim 1, wherein the messaging and/or the information stored in thedatabase includes status information about the power supply gridelement(s), and wherein the status information includes change-in-stateinformation associated with the power supply grid element(s).
 16. Thesystem of claim 1, further including a multiplicity of virtual privatenetworks (VPNs) for routing the power event messages.
 17. The system ofclaim 1, further including edge routing of the power event messagesand/or the power commands for grid elements.
 18. The system of claim 1wherein the power event messages include a power supply value (PSV) thatindicates compensation provided for power supply or available for supplyby the at least one power supply grid element.
 19. The system of claim18, further including aggregation of PSVs from a multiplicity of devicesto form at least one power trade block (PTB), wherein the compensationis based upon native generation and for operating reserves created, andmarket pricing for the native generation and the operating reserves. 20.The system of claim 1, wherein for each of the at least one power supplygrid element(s), the server automatically generates a power supply value(PSV).
 21. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one powersupply grid element(s) further includes at least one mobile devicehaving at least one access point name (APN) for providing a priority ofdelivery for the messages.
 22. The system of claim 1, further includingan event manager operable to receive the power event messages, maintainat least one power management status relating to at least one device,and issue power event instructions responsive to the power eventmessages, a plurality of controllable devices and corresponding deviceinterfaces facilitating communication of power control instructions tothe controllable devices, and a client device manager in communicationwith the event manager and the database; the client device managerselecting from the database, based on the information stored in thedatabase, at least one client device to which to issue a power controlmessage indicating at least one of an amount of electric power to bereduced or increased and identifying at least one controllable device tobe instructed to disable a flow of electric power or reduce settingscorresponding to power consumption to one or more associated powerconsuming devices responsive to receipt of a power control eventinstruction requiring a reduction in a specified amount of electricpower; the power control instructions causing the at least onecontrollable device to selectively enable and/or disable a flow of powerto the power consuming device(s); and a device control manager incommunication with the controllable device interfaces for issuing apower control instruction to the controllable devices through thecontrollable device interfaces, responsive to the received power controlmessage.
 23. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one powersupply grid element provides messaging including information for anamount of power available for supply and a corresponding power supplyvalue (PSV) provided or aggregated.
 24. A system for managing andsupplying power on an electric power grid that is constructed andconfigured for supplying and receiving power from a multiplicity ofsources, where the power flows to a plurality of power consuming devicesor is generated by a plurality of power generation and storage solutionsthat are energized, de-energized, and/or power-reduced by a plurality ofcontrollable devices, the system comprising: a server comprising acommand processor operable to receive or initiate power commands andissue power event messages responsive thereto for supplying power to theelectric power grid by at least one power supply grid element; acoordinator constructed and configured in networked communication withthe server, and operable for receiving, sending, storing, processing,and/or managing the power event messages for the server and for theplurality of power generation and storage solutions; wherein the powerevent messages include revenue grade metrology and are communicated overa network via the coordinator through an IP-based messaging, synchronoustime division multiplexed (TDM)-based messaging, or a proprietary-basedmessaging; a database for storing information relating to power consumedby the plurality of power consuming devices and an amount of power to bereduced to each of the power consuming devices and/or an amount of powersupply to be provided to the electric power grid or to be made availablefor supply to the electric power grid; wherein the coordinator isoperable for generating, managing, and/or communicating at least onepower supply value (PSV), wherein the at least one PSV corresponds to anamount of power to be reduced to each of the power consuming devicesand/or an amount of power supply to be provided to the electric powergrid or to be made available for supply to the electric power grid; andwherein the at least one PSV is operable to be aggregated into a minimumpower trading block (PTB), wherein the minimum PTB is determined by thegoverning body for electric power grid for settlement of the supply ofpower to the electric power grid; and wherein the system is operable forproviding maintained or improved grid stability.
 25. An apparatus formanaging and supplying power on an electric power grid that isconstructed and configured for supplying and receiving power from amultiplicity of sources, where the power flows to a plurality of powerconsuming devices or is generated by a plurality of power generationand/or storage solutions that are energized, de-energized, and/orpower-reduced by a plurality of controllable devices, the apparatuscomprising: a coordinator for managing at least one communicationbetween grid elements and devices, supply sources, and a control serveror Energy Management System (EMS); wherein the at least onecommunication occurs over a network, includes revenue grade metrology,and has a priority of delivery including at least one of a plurality ofmethods to include priority access flags, virtual private networks,independent identifying addresses (MAC, IP, Electronic Serial Numbers),manufacturers specific identifying codes, or combinations thereof,wherein the methods comply with standards as determined by the governingentity that regulates grid operations for utilities, market participantsor grid operators; wherein the revenue grade metrology is operable to beprovided in real-time, near real-time, or the timing required by thegrid operator entity for generating operating reserves for gridstability.